Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Xetos Ag

Markus Gross

Gerhard Maier

Hans-Georg Herz

Thomas J Chapaton

Tenneille Weston Capehart

Frank Knocke

Armand Soldera

Claude Spino

Gail Capehart, Legal Representative

Jürgen Stebani

Rudi Jongh De

Bernd Podratzki

Martin Frömel

A fluorine-containing polymer segment includes at least one substituent for proton transfer that has one or more fluorine atoms. The fluorine-containing polymer segment is useful for forming hydrophilic polymer blocks that are used in block copolymers. Block copolymers useful for fuel cell applications incorporate the hydrophilic polymer blocks formed from the fluorine containing polymer segments.

Fluorinated polymer blocks for PEM applications

Triblock copolymers useful for forming ion conductive membranes are provided. The triblock copolymers are characterized by having either a hydrophobic-hydrophilic -hydrophobic or a hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic polymer sequence that induces a microphase separated morphology. Variations in which the hydrophilic polymer sequence component includes either acid groups or salts of acid groups are also disclosed. Methods for forming an ion conductive membrane from the triblock copolymers are provided.

Triblock copolymers with acidic groups

Block copolymer that can be formed into an ion&#x2014;Conductive membrane are provided. The block copolymer of the invention includes a first polymer block and a second polymer block attached to the first polymer block. The second polymer block has a main polymer chain and one or more side chains extending from the main polymer chain. The one or more side chains include at least one substitutent for proton transfer. Block copolymers utilizing phosphoric acid groups are also provided.

Polymer blocks for PEM applications

Triblock copolymers useful for forming ion conductive membranes are provided. The triblock copolymers are characterized by having either a hydrophobic-hydrophilic-hydrophobic or a hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic polymer sequence that induces a microphase separated morphology. Variations in which the hydrophilic polymer sequence component includes either acid groups or salts of acid groups are also disclosed. Methods for forming an ion conductive membrane from the triblock copolymers are provided.

One embodiment of the invention contemplates a proton exchange membrane for use in a variety of fuel cells. The proton exchange membrane may comprise a solid phase organic based copolymer material in which a first structural unit is derived from a polymerizable organic super acid. The organic super acid may comprise an acid group such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group.

Organic superacids, polymers derived from organic superacids, and methods of making and using the same

Organic superacids, polymers, derived from organic superacids, and methods of making and using the same

Block copolymer that can be formed into an ion-conductive membrane are provided. The block copolymer of the invention includes a first polymer block and a second polymer block attached to the first polymer block. The first polymer block has a main polymer chain and one or more side chains extending from the main polymer chain. The one or more side chains include at least one substituent for proton transfer. Block copolymers utilizing phosphoric acid groups are also provided.

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Kaufbeuren, Germany

Markus Gross