Hydrogen Cyano Fullerene Containing Proton Conducting Membranes
Tech ID: 22052 / UC Case 2005-006-0
Brief Description
A class of proton conducting membranes utilized as a major component of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
Background
The steadily increasing demand for portable electric power has brought upon a universal interest in the development of more efficient and powerful fuel cell devices. Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) is a strong candidate as a portable power source due to its low weight and high power density. The PEM fuel cell relies on the proton conductivity of the polymeric membrane and requires sufficient chemical and mechanical stability, no electronic conductivity, and sufficient gas impermeability to prevent cross over from the fuel. For many years, Nafion by DuPont has been the membrane of choice. The proton conductivity of Nafion depends on the water content in the membrane, while proton transport is based on the diffusion of hydronium ion. In order to retain high proton conductivity, Nafion requires the use of prehumidified gases at 80 °C, a procedure that attributes to an increase in cost, size, and complexity of PEM cells. The lower operating temperature of Nafion (<100 °C) increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning of the fuel cell catalyst in addition to Nafion membranes being unable to perform under dry or low relative humidity conditions.
Description
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed proton conductive fullerene materials that overcome the limitations of the conductive materials in Nafion. The fullerene materials are incorporated in minor amounts into various polymeric materials to enhance the low relative humidity proton conductivity properties of the material. The resulting proton conductive material shows strong potential for use in PEMs in fuel cells. The proton conductors operate over a wide range of relative humidity conditions and a wide range of temperatures, from below room temperature to above 100°C.
Advantages
• Proton conductors operative over wide range of temperatures from below room temp to above boiling point of water
• Lower risk of CO poisoning at fuel cell catalyst
Applications
• Proton exchange membranes (PEM)
This technology is available for licensing.
Patent Status
| Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 7,588,824 | 09/15/2009 | 2005-006 |
Inventors
- Jousselme, Bruno J.
- Stucky, Galen D.
- Wang, Hengbin
- Wudl, Fred
Other Information
Categorized As
Related cases
2005-006-0
Keywords
pcm, pefc, polymer electrolyte fuel cell
Contact
Shaun R. Juncal / juncal@tia.ucsb.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #22052.
ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES BY THESE INVENTORS
- Self-Doped Conducting Polymers
- Poly(2-Methoxy, 5-(2'-Ethyl-Hexyloxy)-P-Phenylene Vinylene), Meh-Ppv, And Methods For Use
- Modular Adhesives And Energy-Dissipating Materials
- Synthesis Of Silica And Silicone Polymer Networks Under Benign Conditions
- Inorganic/Block Coploymer-Dye Composites And Dye-Doped Mesoporous Materials For Optical And Sensing Applications
- Tough, Self-Healing Silicone Materials
- Nanoparticle Assembled Hollow Spheres
- Thermally Stable Proton-Conductive Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications
- Membranes for Electrochemical Devices and Materials (Fuel cells, Photovoltaic, Batteries)
- Thermally Re-mendable Cross-linked Polymers
- Hemostatic and Wound Healing Compositions
- High Performance Polymeric Material for Holographic Data Storage
- Novel Current Collector Design for Use in Rechargeable Lithium Metal Batteries
- Low Cost Nanoparticles for Fossil Fuel Exhaust Treatment
- Hydrophilic Phosphoric Acid Compositions for Proton Conducting Membranes
- Donor-Acceptor Rod-Coil Diblock Copolymer based on P3HT containing fullerene (C¬60)
- Novel Capacitor for Rechargeable Batteries with Longer Lifetimes
- Method of Preparing Silicon and Silicon-Germanium Nanocomposites as Thermoelectric Materials
