A reinforced proton-exchange membrane is provided that includes a first layer including a first ionomer, where the first layer has a first side and a second side. A second layer includes a graphene oxide, where the second layer has a first side and a second side, the first side of the second layer adjacent the second side of the first layer. A third layer includes a second ionomer, where the third layer has a first side and a second side, the first side of the third layer adjacent the second side of the second layer. The proton-exchange membrane can include or be formed upon a support layer, where the support layer is adjacent the first side of the first layer.

Disclosed are redox flow battery membranes, redox flow batteries incorporating the membranes, and methods of forming the membranes. The membranes include a polybenzimidazole gel membrane that is capable of incorporating a high liquid content without loss of structure that is formed according to a process that includes in situ hydrolysis of a polyphosphoric acid solvent. The membranes are imbibed with a redox flow battery supporting electrolyte such as sulfuric acid and can operate at very high ionic conductivities of about 100 mS/cm or greater. Redox flow batteries incorporating the PBI-based membranes can operate at high current densities of about 100 mA/cm.sup.2 or greater.

Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane having both high ion conductivity and excellent chemical durability, a manufacturing method therefor, and an electrochemical device comprising same. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention comprises an electrolyte composition, the electrolyte composition containing: an ion conductor; and a radical scavenger, wherein the radical scavenger comprises an organic cyclic compound having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group (—OH), an amine group (—NH.sub.2), a carboxyl group (—COOH), and an amide group (—CONH.sub.2).

A conductor assembly including an electrically conductive material defining a longitudinal axis, a microporous membrane surrounding the electrically conductive material defining a series of pores, and a ceramic material within at least a first portion of the series of pores.

(Problem) To provide an electrolyte film for fuel cells, capable of achieving both low resistance (film thinning) and high dimensional stability.

(Solution) An electrolyte film for fuel cells, the electrolyte film comprising a polymeric electrolyte and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous film, characterized in that a material having an elastic modulus higher than that of the material constituting the PTFE porous film is composited on the inside surfaces of pores of the PTFE porous film, and the composited PTFE porous film has an elastic modulus of at least 150 MPa.

An electrode assembly and a method of making an electrode assembly. One embodiment of the method includes coating an ionomer solution onto a catalyst coated diffusion media to form a wet ionomer layer, and applying a porous reinforcement layer to the wet ionomer layer such that the wet ionomer layer at least partially impregnates the reinforcement layer. Drying the wet ionomer layer with the impregnated reinforcement layer and joining it to the catalyst coated diffusion media forms an assembly that includes an integrally-reinforced proton exchange membrane layer. This layer may be additionally joined to other ionomer layers and other catalyst coated diffusion media such that a membrane electrode assembly is formed.

An electrode assembly and a method of making an electrode assembly. One embodiment of the method includes coating an ionomer solution onto a catalyst coated diffusion media to form a wet ionomer layer, and applying a porous reinforcement layer to the wet ionomer layer such that the wet ionomer layer at least partially impregnates the reinforcement layer. Drying the wet ionomer layer with the impregnated reinforcement layer and joining it to the catalyst coated diffusion media forms an assembly that includes an integrally-reinforced proton exchange membrane layer. This layer may be additionally joined to other ionomer layers and other catalyst coated diffusion media such that a membrane electrode assembly is formed.

The present invention relates to a composition for fuel cell membranes and a process for the preparation thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to thermo-mechanically and chemically stable polymer electrolyte membranes which have been prepared without compromising proton conductivity by using multifunctional polydopamine and mechanically robust nanocellulose.

A process for producing an ion exchange precursor resin membrane involves co-extruding an ion exchange precursor resin with an incompatible polymer to form a multilayer film having a layer of the ion exchange precursor resin supported on a layer of the incompatible polymer. The layer of incompatible polymer is then removed from the layer of ion exchange precursor resin to provide the ion exchange precursor resin membrane. The ion exchange precursor resin membrane may be converted to an ion exchange resin membrane by hydrolysis, and subsequent acidification if desired. Ion exchange resin membranes and ion exchange precursor resin membranes having a uniform thickness of 25 microns or less may be formed by the process.

A process for producing an ion exchange precursor resin membrane involves co-extruding an ion exchange precursor resin with an incompatible polymer to form a multilayer film having a layer of the ion exchange precursor resin supported on a layer of the incompatible polymer. The layer of incompatible polymer is then removed from the layer of ion exchange precursor resin to provide the ion exchange precursor resin membrane. The ion exchange precursor resin membrane may be converted to an ion exchange resin membrane by hydrolysis, and subsequent acidification if desired. Ion exchange resin membranes and ion exchange precursor resin membranes having a uniform thickness of 25 microns or less may be formed by the process.