The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 09, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 26, 2005
Aruna Zhamu, Fargo, ND (US);
Jiusheng Guo, Dayton, OH (US);
Bor Z. Jang, Centerville, OH (US);
Nanotek Instruments, Inc., Dayton, OH (US);
Abstract
A self-humidifying proton exchange membrane (PEM) composition, a membrane-electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The PEM composition comprises (a) a proton-conducting polymer; (b) a catalyst that promotes the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen molecules to generate water in the membrane, and (c) a deliquescent material dispersed in this polymer. The amount of catalyst is preferably 0.01%-50% by weight on the basis of the polymer weight. The catalyst is preferably a metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and mixtures and alloys thereof. Suitable deliquescent materials include, but are not limited to, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, potassium biphosphate, potassium acetate and combinations thereof. A deliquescent material absorbs and retains an essentially constant amount of moisture to keep the proton mobile in the PEM structure. The fuel cell containing such a PEM composition can be used in a higher temperature and/or lower-humidity environment.