Simon Fraser University

Ballard Power Systems Corporation

Steven Holdcroft

Timothy James Peckham

Benjamin Britton

Andrew Wright

Michael Adamski

Thomas J G Skalski

Andrew J Wright

Owen Thomas

Thomas Weissbach

Jianfu Ding

Charles Stone

Carmen Chuy

Jiantao Fan

Jonathan William Ward

Anne E Morrison

Mohamed S Abdou

Described herein are anionic phenylene oligomers and polymers, and devices including these materials. The oligomers and polymers can be prepared in a convenient and well-controlled manner, and can be used in cation exchange membranes. Also described is the controlled synthesis of anionic phenylene monomers and their use in synthesizing anionic oligomers and polymers, with precise control of the position and number of anionic groups.

Polyphenylenes, methods, and uses thereof

Described herein are anionic phenylene oligomers and polymers, and devices including these materials. The oligomers and polymers can be prepared in a convenient and well-controlled manner, and can be used in cation exchange 5 membranes. Also described is the controlled synthesis of anionic phenylene monomers and their use in synthesizing anionic oligomers and polymers, with precise control of the position and number of anionic groups.

Provided herein are imidazolium polymers having steric hindrance at the 4-position of the imidazole moieties in the polymeric chain. The sterically-protected, N-methylated imidazolium polymers exhibit hydroxide stability in concentrated caustic solutions at elevated temperatures, such as at 100&#xb0; C. and higher.

Stable poly(imidazolium) hydroxides

Described herein are crosslinked alkylated poly(benzimidazole) and poly(imidazole) polymer materials and devices (e.g., fuel cells, water electrolyzers) including these polymer materials. The polymer materials can be prepared in a convenient manner, allowing for applications such as anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The membranes provide high anion conductivities over a wider range of operating conditions when compared to the analogous membranes that are not cross-linked. The crosslinked polymer materials have improved alkaline stability, when compared to the analogous non-crosslinked polymer materials.

Crosslinking of hydroxide stable, polybenzimidazoliums and polyimidazoliums membranes and ionomers

The present disclosure provides alkaline-stable m-terphenyl benzimidazolium hydroxide compounds, in which the C2-position is attached to a phenyl group having various substituents at the ortho positions. Polymers incorporating m-terphenylene repeating groups derived from these alkaline-stable benzimidazolium hydroxide compounds are also presented, along with their inclusion in ionic membranes and in electrochemical devices.

Poly(phenylene) and m-Terphenyl as protecting groups for benzimidazolium hydroxides

Described herein are stable hydroxide ion-exchange polymers. The polymers include ionenes, which are polymers that contain ionic amines in the backbone. The polymers are alcohol-soluble and water-insoluble. The polymers have a water uptake and an ionic conductivity that are correlated to a degree of N-substitution. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes including the polymers are also provided. The polymers are suitable, for example, for use as ionomers in catalyst layers for fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Hydroxide-stable ionenes

Disclosed herein are anion-conducting polymers that comprise a cationic benzimidazolium and imidazolium moieties. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes comprising the polymers are also provided.

Anion-conducting polymer

Ion-exchange materials comprising a polymeric backbone and a plurality of pendent styrenic or fluoridated styrenic macromonomers covalently bonded thereto, wherein the plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers comprise a uniform number of styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units, and wherein predominantly all of the styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units have at least one charged group. Processes for making such material, as well as products related thereto, are also disclosed. In a representative embodiment, the ion-exchange material is utilized as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a PEM fuel cell.

Ion-exchange materials with improved ion conductivity

Thin films of substantially pure soluble polythiophenes and oligothiophenes undergo cross-linking and insolubilization upon irradiation with UV/visible light, without additives. Irradiation of thin polymer films through a photomask and subsequent development with solvent leaves a polymeric image of the mask. The resulting .pi.-conjugated polymeric pattern can be rendered electronically conducting by oxidation. The electronic conductivity of these films is high and is similar to that found for oxidized, non-irradiated films. Furthermore, the conductivity can be regulated over eight orders of magnitude by controlled oxidation. Thus, the fabrication of electronically conducting, organic 'wires' or 'channels' using conventional semiconductor photolithographic techniques can be achieved.

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Pitt Meadows, Canada

Steven Holdcroft