Fuma-tech Gesellschaft Fur Funktionelle Membranen Und Anlagentechnologie Mbh

Monica Pica

Giulio Alberti

Mario Casciola

Deborah Jones

Jacques Roziere

Bernd Bauer

The invention is based on the preparation of an organic solution of preferably phosphonic acids and tetravalent metals salts, preferably of Zr, Ti, Sn and Ce, in organic solvents, which behaves as a solution of layered tetravalent metals salts, preferably phosphate-phosphonates, which are completely insoluble in the known solvents. This peculiarity allows an easy insertion of particles of the above compounds in the pores of porous membranes, in the matrices of those polymers, which are soluble in the same organic solvents, as well as in the membrane/electrode interfaces of fuel cells. The use of tetravalent metals salts, preferably zirconium phosphate-phosphonates, possessing high proton conductivity (in some cases higher than 10S cm) allows the preparation of impregnated porous membranes and of nano-polymeric membranes combining good mechanical properties, and/or reduced permeability to gaseous species, with good proton conductivity. These membranes can therefore be employed in fuel cells even at temperatures higher than 80&#xb0; C. These membranes also possess a high catalytic activity and can therefore be employed in catalytic membrane reactors.

Innovative method for the preparation of proton conducting nanopolymeric membranes for use in fuel cells or in catalytic membrane reactors

The invention provides composite membrane materials comprising a polymer of the state of art uniformly filled with a zirconium phosphate, preferably &#x3b1;-zirconium phosphate or zirconium phosphate sulfoarylenphosphonate particels. The composite membrane materials are preferably prepared starting from a solution of a polymer of the state of art and from a colloidal dispersion of &#x3b1;-zirconium phosphate or a zirconium phosphate sulfoarylenphosphonate. The colloidal particles are transferred into the solution of the polymer preferably by mixing the dispersion with the solution or by means of phase transfer. The membrane material is preferably obtained by removing the solvent by evaporation or by a suitable non-solvent. Besides the composite membrane materials and the preparation methods, the use of the above membrane materials is claimed as ionomeric membranes with high overall performance in high tempreature, especially hydrogen, and in indirect methanol fuel cells and with decreased methanol crossover in direct methanol fuel cells.

Ion conducting composite membrane materials containing an optionally modified zirconium phosphate dispersed in a polymeric matrix, method for preparation of the membrane material and its use

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Gualdo Tadino, Italy

Monica Pica