CA2306481C - Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells - Google Patents

Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2306481C
CA2306481C CA002306481A CA2306481A CA2306481C CA 2306481 C CA2306481 C CA 2306481C CA 002306481 A CA002306481 A CA 002306481A CA 2306481 A CA2306481 A CA 2306481A CA 2306481 C CA2306481 C CA 2306481C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
paste
gel
acid
pbi
weight
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002306481A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2306481A1 (en
Inventor
Frank J. Onorato
Michael J. Sansone
Stuart M. French
Faruq Marikar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
Original Assignee
Pemeas GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pemeas GmbH filed Critical Pemeas GmbH
Publication of CA2306481A1 publication Critical patent/CA2306481A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2306481C publication Critical patent/CA2306481C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
    • C08J3/02—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
    • C08J3/02—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques
    • C08J3/09—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in organic liquids
    • C08J3/091—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in organic liquids characterised by the chemical constitution of the organic liquid
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
    • C08J3/02—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques
    • C08J3/09—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in organic liquids
    • C08J3/091—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in organic liquids characterised by the chemical constitution of the organic liquid
    • C08J3/095—Oxygen containing compounds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0289—Means for holding the electrolyte
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1016—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by the electrolyte material
    • H01M8/1018—Polymeric electrolyte materials
    • H01M8/102—Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the chemical structure of the main chain of the ion-conducting polymer
    • H01M8/1027—Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the chemical structure of the main chain of the ion-conducting polymer having carbon, oxygen and other atoms, e.g. sulfonated polyethersulfones [S-PES]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1016—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by the electrolyte material
    • H01M8/1018—Polymeric electrolyte materials
    • H01M8/102—Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the chemical structure of the main chain of the ion-conducting polymer
    • H01M8/103—Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the chemical structure of the main chain of the ion-conducting polymer having nitrogen, e.g. sulfonated polybenzimidazoles [S-PBI], polybenzimidazoles with phosphoric acid, sulfonated polyamides [S-PA] or sulfonated polyphosphazenes [S-PPh]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1016—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by the electrolyte material
    • H01M8/1018—Polymeric electrolyte materials
    • H01M8/1041—Polymer electrolyte composites, mixtures or blends
    • H01M8/1046—Mixtures of at least one polymer and at least one additive
    • H01M8/1048—Ion-conducting additives, e.g. ion-conducting particles, heteropolyacids, metal phosphate or polybenzimidazole with phosphoric acid
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1016—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by the electrolyte material
    • H01M8/1018—Polymeric electrolyte materials
    • H01M8/1069—Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the manufacturing processes
    • H01M8/1081—Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the manufacturing processes starting from solutions, dispersions or slurries exclusively of polymers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2379/00—Characterised by the use of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming in the main chain of the macromolecule a linkage containing nitrogen with or without oxygen, or carbon only, not provided for in groups C08J2361/00 - C08J2377/00
    • C08J2379/04—Polycondensates having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings in the main chain; Polyhydrazides; Polyamide acids or similar polyimide precursors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0085—Immobilising or gelification of electrolyte
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Macromolecular Compounds Obtained By Forming Nitrogen-Containing Linkages In General (AREA)
  • Processes Of Treating Macromolecular Substances (AREA)
  • Inert Electrodes (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

A method for producing polybenzimidazole (PBI) paste or gel useful in a fuel cell, mixing PBI polymer powder with a suitable amount of an acid, which permits the polymer to dissolve and form a matrix having a gel-like or paste-like consistency at room temperature.

Description

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING POLYBENZIMIDAZOLE
PASTES AND GELS FOR USE IN FUEL CELLS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to the manufacture of a paste or gel for use as a polymer electrolyte in fuel cell applications.
Background of the Invention Fuel cells can be configured in numerous ways with a variety of electrolytes, fuels and operating temperatures. For example, fuels such as hydrogen or methanol can be provided directly to the fuel cell electrode. Alternatively, fuels, such as methane or methanol, can be converted to a hydrogen rich gas mixture external to the cell itself and subsequently provided to the fuel cell. Air is the source of oxygen in most fuel cells, although in some applications, the oxygen is obtained by hydrogen peroxide decomposition or from a cryogenic storage system.
Although there are theoretically a limitless number of combinations of electrolyte, fuel, oxidant, temperatures and so on, practical systems include solid polymer electrolyte systems using hydrogen or hydrazine as the fuel source and pure oxygen as the oxidant.
Polybenzimidazole (PBI) which has been doped with a strong acid is an example of a suitable solid polymer for use in an electrolyte system.
It is known in the art to imbibe polybenzimidazole (PBI) dense films with a strong acid to make a proton conducting media. Particularly, United States Patent No. 5,525,436, issued June 11, 1996, described a method of doping PBI film with a strong acid, such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid, such that a single phase system is formed, i.e., acid is dissolved in the polymer.
Even in view of the advances in the art, the performance, high cost and processability of suitable polymeric electrolyte materials remain important considerations in fuel cell construction with respect to polymeric media for fuel cells. There remains a need in the art for new materials for use in fuel cells.
Summary of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing a polymeric, preferably PBI, paste or gel for use as an electrolyte in fuel cells. In one embodiment, the method comprises soaking finely divided PBI polymer in a suitable amount of an acid solution which permits the polymer to dissolve and form a matrix having a gel-like or paste-like consistency at room temperature.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a PBI paste or gel, which contains between about 70 to about 99.9% by weight of imbibed acid, which paste or gel is useful in fuel cells. These pastes or gels are prepared by the methods described herein.
In still another aspect, the invention provides a polymeric fabric coated with a PBI paste or gel according to the invention.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a fuel cell comprising a PBI paste or gel, or coated fabric, according to this invention.
2 In a further aspect, the present invention provides a polymeric film coated with a PBI paste or gel of the invention.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a polymeric film coated with a PBI paste or gel of the invention with a second polymeric film forming a sandwich structure.

In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing an electrode for use in fuel cells by steps which include coating the electrode with a paste or gel of the invention.

In one method embodiment, the invention provides a method for producing a polybenzimidazole (PBI) paste or gel comprising mixing a polymeric PBI powder with a suitable amount of a solution comprising an acid, which permits the polymer to dissolve and form a matrix having a gel-like or paste-like consistency at room temperature. Preferably the amount of PBI in the paste or gel is between about 0.1% to about 30%.

In one product embodiment, the invention provides a polybenzimidazole (PBI) paste or gel comprising a-phosphoric acid content of between about 70 to 99.9% by weight and about 0.01 to about 30% by weight, PBI powder, of the total weight of said paste or gel.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention are described further in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof.
3 Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention provides an improvement over the art in methods of preparing a polymeric paste or gel which contains acid and is useful as an electrolyte in fuel cells, particularly chlorine-resistant fuel cells, and in the preparation of adhesives. Also provided are the pastes or gels prepared by the method of the invention, as well as fabric and film coated thereby, and fuel cells containing the pastes or gels of the invention.

Generally, according to the process of the invention, a polymeric paste or gel is prepared by mixing or soaking a polymeric powder with a suitably large amount of an acid solution which causes the polymer to dissolve and form a matrix having a gel-like or paste-like consistency at room temperature. By "suitably large amount of acid" is meant between about 3a 70% to about 99.9%, by weight, of the polymer-acid solution mixture which forms the paste or gel.
Preferably, the polymer is PBI. PBI is currently preferred because the inventors have found that the basic nature of the PBI polymer causes it to have an affinity for acids, which permits it to retain the acids under extreme conditions. However, one of skill in the art can readily determine other suitable polymers , and desirably, other basic polymers such as e.g., polyaniline and polypyrimidine which swell upon mixture with the acid solutions described herein and form a paste- or gel-like matrix of the invention.
These PBI polymers, as well as other polymers useful in the invention, are readily obtained by one of skill in the art. Similarly, other polymeric materials permit production of gel or paste-like matrix of the invention having variances in acid content within the ranges provided herein.
An acid solution useful for addition to the polymer may contain approximately 100% acid, or may.
contain a suitable acid diluted by or dissolved in a suitable solvent. For example, the acid solution desirably contains between about 5 weight percent (wt %) to about 100 wt% of an acid and up to about 95 wt%
solvent. In a currently preferred embodiment, the acid solution contains about 85 wt% acid and 15 wt% water or methanol. Suitable acids may include, for example, acetic acid, formic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, triflic acid, methanesulfonic acid and mixtures of these acids or mixtures of these acids and phosphoric acid.
Currently, the preferred acid is phosphoric acid. However, one of skill in the art may readily select any
4
5 PCT/US98/10464 other suitable acid. The present invention is not limited to the choice of suitable acid, provided that the acid swells the polymer, e.g., PBI, and permits the formation of a matrix.
Currently, the most preferred acid solution contains about 85% by weight phosphoric acid and 15% by weight water. However, as stated above, other suitable acid solution concentrations using other selected acids may be readily determined and selected by one of skill in the art.
The polymer and acid solution may be combined and mixed at room temperature. However, any temperature between the freezing point and boiling point of the acid may be used. Optionally, the mixture is heated to enable it to reach a gel-like or paste-like consistency more rapidly than at room temperature. Desirably, the mixture is heated to between about 50 C to about 200 C, and more preferably to between about 1000 to about 150 C. Suitably, the heating step is performed for between about five minutes to about four hours, and more preferably for about one hour. Upon cooling, the paste or gel matrix of the invention forms.
Thus, the present invention provides a PBI paste or gel. The resulting PBI paste or gel is characterized by containing between 70 - 99.9% acid, and preferably about 99% acid, by weight. Such a paste or gel is characterized by higher acid loadings and improved electrochemical properties compared to other compositions of the prior art for the same use. For example, the PBI paste or gel of this invention may be characterized by better retention of the acid than the pastes or gels of the prior art (e.g. phosphoric acid and silicon carbide pastes).

The PBI paste or gel of the invention is useful for a variety of purposes, and particularly in coating such materials as fabrics and films. The coated fabrics, and films, as well as the paste or gel, are useful in fuel cells. Desirably, where the paste or gel of the invention is used in fuel cells, it is produced by mixing the polymer and acid, as described above.
Thus, as another aspect, the present invention provides a fabric or film coated with a PBI paste or gel of the invention. Suitable fabrics and films are desirably polymeric. Desirably, the fabric or film is derived from polymers including, but not limited to, polybenzimidazole (PBI) and derivatives thereof, poly(pyridine), poly(pyrimidine), polyimidazoles, polybenzthiazoles, polybenzoxazoles, polyoxadiazoles, polyquinoxalines, polythiadiazoles, and poly(tetrazapyrenes). The presently preferred, and exemplified polymer, is PBI. Once the selected fabric or film is coated according to the invention, it is particularly well suited for use in a fuel cell. These coated fabrics and films may be produced using methods well known to those of skill in the art.
Desirably, the selected polymeric fabric or film is provided with a coating of between 0.1 to 50 M of the paste or gel. The coating is applied using conventional means, such as roll coating, knife coating, Gravure coating, brush coating, spray coating, dip coating and other known techniques. General descriptions of these types of coating methods may be found in texts, such as Modern Coating and Drying Techniques, (E. Cohen and E. Gutoff, eds; VCH
Publishers) New York (1992) and Web Processing and
6 Converting Technology and Equipment, (D. Satas, ed; Van Nostrand Reinhold) New York (1984). The manner of coating the fabric or film is not a limitation of this invention.
Alternatively, in one particularly desired embodiment, a fabric of the invention is imbibed with acid according to the method described in the US patent 6,042,968 for "Process for Producing Polybenzimidazole Fabrics for Use in Fuel Cells". Briefly, acid-imbibed fabric disclosed in that application contains between about 40 to about 95% acid, by weight, and more preferably about 50 to about 75% acid, by weight, of the imbibed fabric. A fabric containing polymeric fiber is utilized to prepare the acid-imbibed fabric. Examples of such polymers include, but are not limited to, polybenzimidazole (PBI), poly(pyridine), poly(pyrimidine), polyimidazoles, polybenzthiazoles, polybenzoxazoles, polyoxadiazoles, polyquinoxalines, polythiadiazoles, poly(tetrazapyrenes), and mixtures of sulfonated, non-sulfonated PBI and/or such polymeri.c fibers. Currently, the preferred fiber is a PBI fiber, which may be either sulfonated or non-sulfonated.
Suitable fabrics are readily available from a variety of commercial sources, and are preferably woven and contain voids between the individual fibers in the -fabric. However, knitted or non-woven fabrics which contain voids which permit imbibition of the acid, as described herein, may also be utilized. The fabric is imbibed with acid by soaking it in an appropriate acid solution, optionally in the presence of heat. A more detailed description of the acid-imbibed fabric and its
7 production are provided in the above-reference patent application.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a polymeric film coated with a PBI paste or gel of the invention as described above, and joined or place adjacent to a second polymeric film, thereby forming a sandwich structure.
The coated fabric or film of the invention, including the "film sandwich" described above, is useful, for example, as the polymer electrolyte in a fuel cell of the invention. Thus, in another embodiment, the invention provides a method of preparing an electrode for use in a fuel cell by coating an electrode with a PBI paste and gel of the invention as described above. Another advantage of this invention is that the PBI paste or gel of the invention is more readily applied to the electrode material than are prior art electrolytes. The invention further provides fuel cells containing the electrodes, fabrics, and films coated with the PBI
paste or gel according to the invention.
The following examples illustrate the preferred compositions and methods of the invention, using PBI as the exemplified polymer. These examples are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 An exemplary PBI paste of this invention is prepared as follows. Commercially available PBI
polymer (1g) was added to a solution containing 117 g 85% H3PO9 and 15%, by weight, water in a slow mixer.
The mixture is agitated at a temperature of 100-150 C
8 to remove residual water until a consistent paste is obtained. The resulting paste or gel contains about 99% acid by weight.
Example 2 Another exemplary PBI paste is prepared as follows. PBI polymer (5g) was added to a solution containing 112 g 85% HPO4 and 15%, by weight, water in a slow mixer. The mixture is agitated at a temperature of 100-150 C to remove residual water until a consistent paste is obtained. The resulting paste or gel contains about 96% acid by weight.

Example 3 PBI gel prepared from Example 1 was slot-coated at room temperature onto a phosphoric acid imbibed PBI
fabric. The thickness of the coating was about 25 m.
A similar coating was applied to a platinum electrode.
A membrane electrode assembly was assembled from these materials and a second electrode such that the layers were ordered electrode/gel/fabric/gel/electrode.

Example 4 The membrane electrode assembly fashioned in Example 3 was then placed in a fuel cell. Under typical operating conditions at 0.7 volts the resulting current density and power density is approximately 450 milliamperes/cm2 and 315 milliwatts/cm2, respectively.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are included in the above-identified specification and are expected to be obvious to one of skill in the art. Such modifications and alterations to the compositions and processes of the present
9 invention are believed to be encompassed in the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS:
1. A method for producing a polybenzimidazole (PBI) paste or gel comprising mixing a polymeric PBI powder with a suitable amount of a solution comprising an acid, which permits the polymer to dissolve and form a matrix having a gel-like or paste-like consistency at room temperature.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising heating said matrix.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said solution further comprises a solvent selected from the group consisting of water and methanol.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said acid is present in solution at between 5% by weight to about 100% by weight of said solution.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the acid is about 70 to about 99.9% of the total weight of said paste or gel.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the acid comprises about 95 to about 99% of the total weight of said paste or gel.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the amount of said PBI in said paste or gel is between about 0.1% to about 30% by weight of said paste or gel mixture.
8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said solvent is present in said solution at between more than 0 and about 5% by weight of said solution.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, triflic acid and mixtures thereof.
10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein said mixture is heated to between about 50 to 200°C
for a time sufficient for the mixture to form a paste or gel.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said time is between 5 minutes to 4 hours.
12. A polybenzimidazole (PBI) paste or gel comprising a phosphoric acid content of between about 70 to 99.9% by weight and about 0.01 to about 30% by weight, PBI powder, of the total weight of said paste or gel.
13. A fuel cell comprising a paste or gel as defined in claim 12.
14. A polymeric fabric or film coated with a paste or gel as defined in claim 12.
15. The fabric according to claim 14, which has been imbibed with acid prior to coating with said paste or gel.
16. A fuel cell comprising a fabric coated with a paste or gel as defined in claim 12.
17. A polymeric film coated with a paste or gel as defined in claim 12.
18. A method of preparing an electrode for use in fuel cells comprising coating said electrode with a paste or gel as defined in claim 12.
CA002306481A 1997-07-16 1998-05-18 Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells Expired - Fee Related CA2306481C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/895,059 US5945233A (en) 1997-07-16 1997-07-16 Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells
US08/895,059 1997-07-16
PCT/US1998/010464 WO1999004445A1 (en) 1997-07-16 1998-05-18 Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2306481A1 CA2306481A1 (en) 1999-01-28
CA2306481C true CA2306481C (en) 2007-07-10

Family

ID=25403892

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002306481A Expired - Fee Related CA2306481C (en) 1997-07-16 1998-05-18 Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US5945233A (en)
EP (1) EP0996990B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4754687B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100511152B1 (en)
CN (1) CN100377410C (en)
AT (1) ATE251805T1 (en)
AU (1) AU7691498A (en)
BR (1) BR9811508A (en)
CA (1) CA2306481C (en)
DE (1) DE69818826T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0996990T3 (en)
TW (1) TW432743B (en)
WO (1) WO1999004445A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (52)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6042968A (en) * 1997-07-16 2000-03-28 Aventis Research & Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg Process for producing polybenzimidazole fabrics for use in fuel
AU6984500A (en) 1999-09-09 2001-04-10 Danish Power Systems Aps Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
US6492044B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-10 Plug Power Inc. Reactant conditioning for high temperature fuel cells
DE10144815A1 (en) 2001-09-12 2003-03-27 Celanese Ventures Gmbh Proton-conducting polymer membrane for use in membrane-electrode units for fuel cells, obtained by heating a polyazole polymer with polyphosphoric acid and coating the solution onto a substrate, e.g. an electrode
DE10155543C2 (en) * 2001-11-12 2003-11-13 Sartorius Gmbh Proton-conducting electrolyte membrane, process for its production and its use
CN100388552C (en) * 2001-11-12 2008-05-14 赛多利斯司特蒂姆生物工艺公司 Proton-conducting electrolyte membrane, method of manufacture and use thereof in fuel cells
JP2007512659A (en) * 2003-10-10 2007-05-17 バラード パワー システムズ インコーポレイティド Water insoluble additives for improving the conductivity of ion exchange membranes.
KR100570745B1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2006-04-12 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 Method for preparing poly (2,5-benzimidazole)
JP5005160B2 (en) * 2003-12-08 2012-08-22 三星エスディアイ株式会社 Gel electrolyte and fuel cell
US7115334B2 (en) * 2003-12-08 2006-10-03 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Gel electrolyte and fuel cell employing the same
US7259230B2 (en) * 2004-06-07 2007-08-21 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Polybenzimidazole compounds, polymeric media, and methods of post-polymerization modifications
US7309758B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2007-12-18 Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc Polybenzimidazole compounds, polymeric media, and methods of post-polymerization modifications
KR100542203B1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-10 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 Binder composition for fuel cell, membrane-electrode assembly and method of manufacturing membrane-electrode assembly
FR2876531A1 (en) * 2004-10-07 2006-04-14 Nextamp Sa TATTOO READING METHOD AND DEVICE, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND STORAGE MEDIUM
KR100738788B1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2007-07-12 주식회사 엘지화학 Polybenzimidazole-benzamide copolymer and preparation method thereof, electrolyte membrane prepared therefrom and preparation method thereof
CN100336861C (en) * 2004-12-30 2007-09-12 同济大学 Electric conducting mateiral of non-water proton of polyvinyl alcohol tetrazole with acid being adulterated and preparation method
EP2218748B1 (en) * 2005-09-03 2012-10-10 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Polybenzoxazine-based compound, electrolyte membrane including the same, and fuel cell employing the electrolyte membrane
KR100819676B1 (en) 2005-11-14 2008-04-03 주식회사 엘지화학 Branched multiblock polybenzimidazole-benzamide copolymer and preparation method, electrolyte membrane and electrolyte paste / gel using same
US7977392B2 (en) * 2005-12-22 2011-07-12 Daimler Ag Water insoluble additive for improving conductivity of an ion exchange membrane
CN100395289C (en) * 2006-04-27 2008-06-18 同济大学 A kind of non-aqueous proton conductive material based on imidazole oligomer and preparation method thereof
CN100400597C (en) * 2006-04-27 2008-07-09 同济大学 A polymer material with high chemical oxidation resistance based on nitrogen heterocyclic components
KR100818255B1 (en) 2006-05-29 2008-04-02 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 Polybenzoxazine Compounds, Electrolyte Membranes Containing the Same, and Fuel Cells Employing the Same
KR100745741B1 (en) * 2006-08-22 2007-08-02 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 Membrane electrode assembly for fuel cell and fuel cell using same
DE102006062251A1 (en) * 2006-12-22 2008-06-26 Volkswagen Ag Membrane electrode unit for high temperature gas cell, comprises polymer membrane impregnated with electrolytes, and cathodic- and anodic gas diffusion electrodes placed at cathode- and anode lateral membrane surfaces respectively
DE102007002515A1 (en) 2007-01-17 2008-08-14 Volkswagen Ag Polymer electrolyte membrane useful for high temperature-fuel cell for traction systems or the additional power supply of motor vehicles, comprises an organic polymer material impregnated with an electrolyte, and a laminated structure
DE102007018280A1 (en) 2007-04-18 2008-10-23 Volkswagen Ag Polymer electrolyte membrane manufacturing method for fuel cell, involves impregnating polymer membrane with liquid or solved electrolytes, where polymer membrane is supported between carrier foils that lie at both sides of polymer membrane
DE102007020947A1 (en) 2007-05-04 2008-11-13 Volkswagen Ag Gas diffusion electrode for fuel cell, particularly for high temperature fuel cells based on electrolyte impregnated membranes, has gas diffusion layer and porous catalyst layer arranged on gas diffusion layer
DE102007025207A1 (en) 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Volkswagen Ag Gas diffusion electrode for high temperature gas cells based on electrolyte-impregnated membrane, comprises gas diffusion layer, and porous catalyst layer arranged on diffusion layer and having conductive substrate and catalytic material
US20080317946A1 (en) * 2007-06-21 2008-12-25 Clearedge Power, Inc. Fuel cell membranes, gels, and methods of fabrication
DE102007031280A1 (en) 2007-07-05 2009-01-08 Volkswagen Ag Gas diffusion electrode with membrane-electrode-unit for high temperature fuel cells based on membrane for traction system, has gas diffusion layer and catalyst layer is impregnated with another electrolyte and has hydrophobic material
EP2036912B1 (en) 2007-09-11 2012-08-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Phosphorous containing benzoxazine-based monomer, polymer thererof, electrode for fuel cell including the same, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell including the same, and fuel cell employing the same
DE102007044246A1 (en) 2007-09-11 2009-03-12 Volkswagen Ag Membrane electrode unit with hydrogenatable material for a fuel cell
EP2036910B1 (en) * 2007-09-11 2012-06-27 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Benzoxazine-based monomer, polymer thereof, electrode for fuel cell including the same, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell includind the same, and fuel cell using the same
KR101366808B1 (en) * 2007-10-11 2014-02-25 삼성전자주식회사 Polybenzimidazole-base complex, crosslinked material of polybenzoxazines formed thereof, and fuel cell using the same
EP2058321B1 (en) 2007-11-02 2014-01-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Phosphorous containing monomer, polymer thereof, electrode for fuel cell including the polymer, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell including the polymer, and fuel cell using the electrode
US8188210B2 (en) * 2007-11-02 2012-05-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, polymer thereof, electrode for fuel cell including the polymer, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell including the polymer, and fuel cell using the electrode
KR101537311B1 (en) * 2007-11-02 2015-07-17 삼성전자주식회사 Electrolyte membrane for fuel cell and fuel cell using the same
EP2062891B1 (en) 2007-11-06 2012-08-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Benzoxazine-based monomer, polymer thereof, electrode for fuel cell including the polymer, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell including the polymer, and fuel cell using the electrode
DE102007061061A1 (en) 2007-12-14 2009-06-18 Volkswagen Ag Fuel cell stack for traction system of motor vehicle, has hydrogen supply line for supplying hydrogen to anodes and dummy cell, and hydrogen discharge line for removing residual hydrogen from anode and dummy cell
DE102008009437A1 (en) 2008-02-14 2009-09-03 Volkswagen Ag Membrane-electrode unit for high temperature-proton exchange membrane-fuel cell, has polymer electrolyte membrane with polymer membrane impregnated with electrolyte
DE102008019874B4 (en) 2008-04-17 2021-02-18 Audi Ag Method for determining a content or partial pressure of a gas component of a fuel cell
DE102008041225A1 (en) 2008-08-13 2010-02-18 Volkswagen Ag Fuel cell for supplying electricity to e.g. drive motor of motor vehicle, has discharging systems arranged in fuel cell stack that is upstream in hydrogen flow direction and connected with supply systems of downstream fuel cell stack
DE102009001141A1 (en) 2008-10-29 2010-05-06 Volkswagen Ag Producing polymer electrolyte membrane, by producing polymer solution of polyazol in solvent mixture, transferring polymer solution in flat structure, and dropping polymer solution that is transferred in flat structure with liquid water
DE102009001137A1 (en) 2008-10-29 2010-05-06 Volkswagen Ag Polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells and process for their preparation
JP5491625B2 (en) * 2009-06-20 2014-05-14 ビーエーエスエフ ソシエタス・ヨーロピア Method for producing polymer polyazole
JP5484569B2 (en) * 2009-06-20 2014-05-07 ビーエーエスエフ ソシエタス・ヨーロピア Polyazole-containing composition
DE102009028308A1 (en) 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Volkswagen Ag Membrane electrode unit, useful in fuel cell, comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane made of a polymer, two electrodes sandwiching polymer electrolyte membrane, an electrolyte wetting polymer electrolyte membrane and silicate derivative
DE102009028758A1 (en) 2009-08-20 2011-02-24 Volkswagen Ag Long-term stable polymer electrolyte membrane for HT fuel cells and process for their preparation
DE102009057797A1 (en) 2009-12-10 2011-06-16 Volkswagen Ag Method for producing a catalytic material for electrodes of a fuel cell
JP2012054066A (en) * 2010-08-31 2012-03-15 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd Fuel cell electrolyte membrane, membrane electrode assembly, fuel cell, and fuel cell electrolyte membrane manufacturing method
DK180360B1 (en) 2019-08-14 2021-02-04 Blue World Technologies Holding ApS Method of producing separator plates by compaction and a production facility
DK180599B1 (en) 2020-01-20 2021-10-14 Blue World Technologies Holding ApS Apparatus and process for making acid-doped proton exchange membranes

Family Cites Families (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1545012A1 (en) * 1962-11-19 1969-07-24 Whittaker Corp Meltable condensation polymers, their use and processes for their preparation
US4309372A (en) * 1977-03-10 1982-01-05 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Method of making formulated plastic separators for soluble electrode cells
US4448687A (en) * 1982-12-17 1984-05-15 Celanese Corporation Process for the production of semipermeable polybenzimidazole membranes with low temperature annealing
US4693824A (en) * 1985-09-23 1987-09-15 Celanese Corporation Process for the production of polybenzimidazole ultrafiltration membranes
US4598099A (en) * 1985-10-24 1986-07-01 Celanese Corporation Process for the production of polybenzimidazole foams
US4664761A (en) * 1985-12-27 1987-05-12 Uop Inc. Electrochemical method and apparatus using proton-conducting polymers
US4868008A (en) * 1986-10-23 1989-09-19 Hoechst Celanese Corp. Process for preparing electrically conductive shaped articles from polybenzimidazoles
US4814399A (en) * 1987-07-24 1989-03-21 Hoechst Celanese Corporation Sulfoalkylation of polybenzimidazole
US4927909A (en) * 1987-09-18 1990-05-22 Hoechst Celanese Corp. Fabrication of high performance polybenzimidazole films
US4945156A (en) * 1988-12-29 1990-07-31 Honeywell Inc. Solution processing of rigid chain and ladder polymers
US5091087A (en) * 1990-06-25 1992-02-25 Hoechst Celanese Corp. Fabrication of microporous PBI membranes with narrow pore size distribution
CA2097296A1 (en) * 1990-12-07 1992-06-08 Peter E. Pierini Process for fabricating oriented polybenzazole films
US5264542A (en) * 1992-05-27 1993-11-23 Hoechst Celanese Corp. Process for preparing stabilized polybenzimidazole products
US5277981A (en) * 1992-05-28 1994-01-11 Hoechst Celanese Corp. Thermo-oxidatively stabilized polybenzimidazole-containing articles
EP0604883A3 (en) * 1992-12-30 1995-02-15 Hoechst Ag Process for preparing porous hydrophilic membranes.
US5292469A (en) * 1993-01-05 1994-03-08 The Dow Chemical Company Process for coagulation, washing and leaching of shaped polybenzazole articles
US5525436A (en) * 1994-11-01 1996-06-11 Case Western Reserve University Proton conducting polymers used as membranes
US5599639A (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-02-04 Hoechst Celanese Corporation Acid-modified polybenzimidazole fuel cell elements
DE19548421B4 (en) * 1995-12-22 2004-06-03 Celanese Ventures Gmbh Process for the continuous production of membrane electrode assemblies
US5693434A (en) * 1996-07-22 1997-12-02 Motorola, Inc. Electrochemical cell having a polymer electrolyte
WO1998014505A1 (en) * 1996-10-01 1998-04-09 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Process for producing polymeric films for use as fuel cells
US5723231A (en) * 1996-12-09 1998-03-03 Motorola, Inc. Polymer electrolyte and an electrochemical cell containing the electrolyte
JP4398522B2 (en) * 1997-05-22 2010-01-13 バスフ・ヒュエル・セル・ゲーエムベーハー Method for producing polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell and fuel cell

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0996990B1 (en) 2003-10-08
JP2001510931A (en) 2001-08-07
CN1280710A (en) 2001-01-17
DE69818826D1 (en) 2003-11-13
JP4754687B2 (en) 2011-08-24
BR9811508A (en) 2000-09-26
DK0996990T3 (en) 2004-01-05
AU7691498A (en) 1999-02-10
WO1999004445A1 (en) 1999-01-28
CA2306481A1 (en) 1999-01-28
TW432743B (en) 2001-05-01
KR100511152B1 (en) 2005-08-31
KR20010021896A (en) 2001-03-15
US5945233A (en) 1999-08-31
DE69818826T2 (en) 2004-08-12
EP0996990A1 (en) 2000-05-03
ATE251805T1 (en) 2003-10-15
CN100377410C (en) 2008-03-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2306481C (en) Process for producing polybenzimidazole pastes and gels for use in fuel cells
US6042968A (en) Process for producing polybenzimidazole fabrics for use in fuel
Hasiotis et al. New polymer electrolytes based on blends of sulfonated polysulfones with polybenzimidazole
JP4920889B2 (en) Membrane electrode assembly, polymer membrane, polymer electrolyte fuel cell, method for producing membrane electrode assembly, and method for producing polymer electrolyte fuel cell
JPH11503262A (en) Proton conductive polymer
DE10235358A1 (en) Proton conducting polymer membrane, useful for the production of fuel cells, is prepared by mixing an aromatic tetra-amino compound with an aromatic carboxylic acid in vinyl containing phosphoric acid
CN104629081A (en) Preparation method of pore-filing type proton exchange membrane taking double ether crosslinked porous polybenzimidazole imide as base
US8563194B2 (en) Electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cell and method of manufacturing the same
CN102015836A (en) Polymer composition, polymer membrane comprising the polymer composition, process for preparing it and fuel cell comprising the membrane
EP1901378A1 (en) Proton conducting polymer membrane, method for producing same, and fuel cell using same
CN101024723A (en) Electrolyte for fuel cell, membrane-electrode assembly, and method for preparing the electrolyte for fuel cell
Song et al. Incorporation of zirconium hydrogen phosphate into porous ionomer membranes
DE10235357A1 (en) Proton conducting polymer membrane, useful for the production of fuel cells, is prepared by mixing an aromatic tetra-amino compound with an aromatic carboxylic acid in vinyl containing phosphoric and sulfonic acid
AU2002356654B2 (en) Fuel cell and membrane-electrode assembly thereof
CN117352796A (en) Proton exchange membrane and preparation method thereof
CN117954662A (en) Composite crosslinked polybenzimidazole membrane, preparation method and application thereof
CN116505043A (en) Sulfonated polybenzimidazole gel state wide temperature range proton exchange membrane with flexible alkyl side chains and its preparation method and application
KR100884959B1 (en) Hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell membrane electrode manufacturing method
KR101047415B1 (en) Electrode Binder Solution Composition for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell
CN1810882B (en) Polymer electrolyte membrane and fuel cell using it
Dong et al. Cross-Linked Polybenzimidazoles Containing Porous Organic Cages for High-Temperature Proton Conduction
WO2011020872A1 (en) Long-term stable polymer electrolyte membrane for ht fuel cells and method for the production thereof
CN120637551A (en) Proton exchange membrane based on oil-in-water emulsion system and its preparation method and application
CN113745616A (en) Multi-spine aluminum oxide nanofiber composite proton exchange membrane and preparation method thereof
CN112838252A (en) A proton exchange membrane with high proton conductivity for fuel cell and its preparation method and application

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKLA Lapsed