A proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane separating the anode catalyst layer from the cathode catalyst layer, an oxygen inlet configured to supply oxygen to the cathode catalyst layer, and a hydrogen inlet separate from the oxygen inlet and configured to supply hydrogen to the anode catalyst layer. The fuel cell is operable to convert the hydrogen from the hydrogen inlet to hydrogen ions at the anode catalyst layer and to produce an H2O byproduct at the cathode catalyst layer where the oxygen reacts with the hydrogen ions. The fuel cell includes a water outlet for the H2O byproduct that is separate from the oxygen inlet.

The present disclosure relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a polymer membrane containing an ion conductor, and a plurality of composite fibers, wherein the composite fiber comprises a core portion continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the composite fiber and a matrix portion surrounding the core portion, and the core portion contains an ion exchange functional group.

The present disclosure relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a polymer membrane containing an ion conductor, and a plurality of composite fibers, wherein the composite fiber comprises a core portion continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the composite fiber and a matrix portion surrounding the core portion, and the core portion contains an ion exchange functional group.

A polymer electrolyte membrane includes an ion-conducting polymeric electrolyte material and platelets, distributed through the polymeric electrolyte material. The platelets have an aspect ratio of length to thickness of at least 2:1. The platelets are aligned generally parallel to a length of the membrane. The platelets can be functionalized with free radical scavengers, or other moieties, to extend the lifetime of the membrane or of a membrane electrode assembly incorporating the membrane.

A polymer electrolyte membrane includes an ion-conducting polymeric electrolyte material and platelets, distributed through the polymeric electrolyte material. The platelets have an aspect ratio of length to thickness of at least 2:1. The platelets are aligned generally parallel to a length of the membrane. The platelets can be functionalized with free radical scavengers, or other moieties, to extend the lifetime of the membrane or of a membrane electrode assembly incorporating the membrane.

A polymer electrolyte membrane according to the present invention has a cluster diameter of 2.96 to 4.00 nm and a converted puncture strength of 300 gf/50 μm or more. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to the present invention has a low electric resistance and an excellent mechanical strength.

A composite polymer electrolyte membrane including a polymer electrolyte and a porous substrate, and having a dry tensile modulus of 100 N/cm or more per width and a wet tensile modulus of 35 N/cm or more per width. Enhancing the mechanical characteristics of the electrolyte membrane results in providing an electrolyte membrane that achieves good dry-wet cycle durability.

A composite polymer electrolyte membrane including a polymer electrolyte and a porous substrate, and having a dry tensile modulus of 100 N/cm or more per width and a wet tensile modulus of 35 N/cm or more per width. Enhancing the mechanical characteristics of the electrolyte membrane results in providing an electrolyte membrane that achieves good dry-wet cycle durability.

Disclosed are: a polymer electrolyte membrane which can guarantee the production of a membrane-electrode assembly having excellent mechanical properties without a decrease in performance, such as in ionic conductivity, and thus having a high enough durability to achieve at least 30,000 wet/dry cycles as measured according to the NEDO protocol; a membrane-electrode assembly including the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a method for measuring the durability of the membrane-electrode assembly. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to the present invention comprises a composite layer including: a porous support having multiple pores; and ionomers filling the pores, and has an MD internal tearing strength of 150 N/mm or greater, a TD internal tearing strength of 150 N/mm or greater, a stab initial strain of 8% or less, and a stab final strain of 10% or less.

Disclosed are: a polymer electrolyte membrane which can guarantee the production of a membrane-electrode assembly having excellent mechanical properties without a decrease in performance, such as in ionic conductivity, and thus having a high enough durability to achieve at least 30,000 wet/dry cycles as measured according to the NEDO protocol; a membrane-electrode assembly including the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a method for measuring the durability of the membrane-electrode assembly. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to the present invention comprises a composite layer including: a porous support having multiple pores; and ionomers filling the pores, and has an MD internal tearing strength of 150 N/mm or greater, a TD internal tearing strength of 150 N/mm or greater, a stab initial strain of 8% or less, and a stab final strain of 10% or less.