Intellectual Property Office
Non-Confidential Disclosures
“Sulfonimide Functionalized Polymers for Fuel Cell Membrane Applications”
PSU Inv. Disc. No 2571
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Keywords
Functionalized polymers, membranes, fuel cells
Links:
US Patent Application 2004/0225153
http://research.chem.psu.edu/hragroup/
Background:
Proton conductive polymers are attractive materials for use in applications such as polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) for power generation. However, the types of proton conductive polymers which may be used as membranes in PEFCs is limited by demanding membrane requirements such as good chemical and mechanical stability, high ionic conductivity, and low reactant permeability (i.e. hydrogen or methanol, and oxygen).
The art has focused on membranes made from sulfonic acid functionalized polymers, in particular, membranes such as Nafion T formed from perfluorosulfonic acid functionalized polymers. However these materials have their disadvantages creating a continuing need for improved polymers and methods for fuel cell membrane applications.
Invention description:
The invention relates to sulfonimide bearing phenolic compounds and the use of those compounds to produce polyphosphazenes functionalized by one or more of those compounds alone, or in combination with cosubstituents. The invention also relates to blends of sulfonimide functionalized phosphazene polymers with other polymers, membranes formed of the functionalized polymers, and the use of those membranes in devices such as fuel cells.
Advantages:
- Functionalized ion-conducting polymers
- Fuel cell membrane applications
- Acid functionality incorporated into the side group for easy reaction to polymer
- Can product membranes of polymer blends
Contact:
Bradley A. Swope
Sr. Technology Licensing Officer
Intellectual Property Office
113 Technology Center
The Pennsylvania State Univ.
University Park, PA 16802-7000
Phone: (814) 863-5987
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail:bradswope@psu.edu |
