Improved Nanocomposite Membranes For Fuel Cells And Air Separations
The UC nanocomposite membranes: Can be used as a PEM well above 100°C, maintaining a hydration level at 100°C greater than ordinary fluorocarbon polymer membranes at 80°C; Reduces methanol crossover and increases proton conductivity as compared to ordinary fluorocarbon polymer membranes; Is suitable for tight packing into air separation modules; and Has a potential O2/N2 selectivity of up to 32.
UC nanocomposite membranes might become standard components of PEM fuel cells, which have great commercial significance as the leading candidate to replace internal combustion engines in automobiles. The UC membranes are also likely to be the preferred membrane for use in hollow-fiber and multi-leaf spiral-wound air separation modules.
A University of California researcher has invented a nanocomposite membrane that uses an alternative to silica particles—nanocrystallite zeolite particles. Both high temperature dehydration and methanol crossover can be countered by incorporating nanocrystalline zeolites into the fluorocarbon polymers. For air separation, unlike silica particles the nanocrystals used in this invention have excellent proton conductivity and are more efficient in increasing the O2/N2 selectivity of polymer membranes.
Patent Number: US7691514B2
Application Number: US2004982708A
Inventor: Yan, Yushan | Holmberg, Brett | Wang, Xin
Priority Date: 7 Nov 2003
Priority Number: US7691514B2
Application Date: 4 Nov 2004
Publication Date: 6 Apr 2010
IPC Current: H01M000810 | B05D000512
US Class: 429434 | 429033 | 427115 | 429030
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Polymer-zeolite nanocomposite membranes for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells
Usefulness: Polymer-zeolite nanocomposite membranes for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells
Summary: (A) is useful for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (claimed). (I) are incorporated into polymer matrices for membrane separation applications like gas separations and in polymer-exchange-membrane fuel cells. (claimed).
Novelty: Method of forming polymer/zeolite nanocomposite membrane (A), useful in fuel cells, comprises forming and combining zeolite nanocrystal and polymer source suspensions; ultrasonicating and heating the solution; and removing the membrane
Chemical/Material
Fuel Cell
7691514
Tech ID/UC Case 10229/2001-195-0 Related Cases 2001-195-0
USA
