A zipped ion-exchange membrane (Z-IEM) having at least one cation-exchange polyelectrolyte (CEP) crosslinked with at least one anion-exchange polyelectrolyte (AEP), wherein the CEP has a molar fraction of positive charges (x) so that: (i) when x=0.5, the Z-IEM is a completely neutralized ion-exchange membrane; (ii) when x>0.5, the Z-IEM is a cation-conducting ion-exchange membrane; (iii) when x<0.5, the Z-IEM is an anion-conducting ion-exchange membrane.

The above zipped ion-exchange membrane (Z-IEM): (i) is based on a polymeric matrix; (ii) is endowed with a high conductivity for ionic species such as either H.sub.3O.sup.+, OH.sup.− or halides such as F.sup.−, Cl.sup.−, Br.sup.−, and I.sup.−; and (iii) is able to block as much as possible the crossover of other ionic species, such as: cations such as V.sup.2+, V.sup.3+, VO.sup.2+, VO.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, Cr.sup.2+, Cr.sup.3+, Ce.sup.3+, Ce.sup.4+, Ti.sup.3+, Ti.sup.4+, Mn.sup.2+, Mn.sup.3+, Zn.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Np.sup.3+, Np.sup.4+, NpO.sub.2.sup.2+, NpO.sub.2.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Rb.sup.+, Cs.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+; and anions such as F.sup.−, BF.sub.4.sup.−, Cl.sup.−, ClO.sup.−, ClO.sub.2.sup.−, ClO.sub.3.sup.−, ClO.sub.4.sup.−, Br.sup.−, Br.sub.3.sup.−, I.sup.−, I.sub.3.sup.−.

A zipped ion-exchange membrane (Z-IEM) having at least one cation-exchange polyelectrolyte (CEP) crosslinked with at least one anion-exchange polyelectrolyte (AEP), wherein the CEP has a molar fraction of positive charges (x) so that: (i) when x=0.5, the Z-IEM is a completely neutralized ion-exchange membrane; (ii) when x>0.5, the Z-IEM is a cation-conducting ion-exchange membrane; (iii) when x<0.5, the Z-IEM is an anion-conducting ion-exchange membrane.

The above zipped ion-exchange membrane (Z-IEM): (i) is based on a polymeric matrix; (ii) is endowed with a high conductivity for ionic species such as either H.sub.3O.sup.+, OH.sup.− or halides such as F.sup.−, Cl.sup.−, Br.sup.−, and I.sup.−; and (iii) is able to block as much as possible the crossover of other ionic species, such as: cations such as V.sup.2+, V.sup.3+, VO.sup.2+, VO.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, Cr.sup.2+, Cr.sup.3+, Ce.sup.3+, Ce.sup.4+, Ti.sup.3+, Ti.sup.4+, Mn.sup.2+, Mn.sup.3+, Zn.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Np.sup.3+, Np.sup.4+, NpO.sub.2.sup.2+, NpO.sub.2.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Rb.sup.+, Cs.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+; and anions such as F.sup.−, BF.sub.4.sup.−, Cl.sup.−, ClO.sup.−, ClO.sub.2.sup.−, ClO.sub.3.sup.−, ClO.sub.4.sup.−, Br.sup.−, Br.sub.3.sup.−, I.sup.−, I.sub.3.sup.−.

Provided are a monovalent anion selective ion exchange membrane and a method of manufacturing the ion exchange membrane. In regard to the monovalent anion selective ion exchange membrane, a surface portion thereof has a high amount ratio of a cation exchange polymer electrolyte, a central portion thereof has a high amount ratio of an anion exchange polymer electrolyte, and an amount ratio of the anion exchange polymer electrolyte with respect to the cation exchange polymer electrolyte continuously increases in the thickness direction thereof from the surface toward the center. Due to this structure, compared to monovalent anions, polyvalent anions may permeate much less through the exchange membrane. Thus, high selectivity for monovalent anions may be obtained.

Proton conducting materials and membranes and electrochemical devices incorporating the materials and membranes are provided. Also provided are methods of making the materials and membranes and methods of operating the electrochemical devices. The proton conducting materials are solid acids that form superprotonic phases at elevated temperatures. The superprotonic phases have a cubic structure and the general formula: M.sub.(1−x)H.sub.y]H.sub.2PO.sub.4, where M represents one or more monovalent cations or a combination of monovalent cations and divalent cations, 0<x≤2/9, and y is a number that provides charge balancing.

Proton conducting materials and membranes and electrochemical devices incorporating the materials and membranes are provided. Also provided are methods of making the materials and membranes and methods of operating the electrochemical devices. The proton conducting materials are solid acids that form superprotonic phases at elevated temperatures. The superprotonic phases have a cubic structure and the general formula: M.sub.(1−x)H.sub.y]H.sub.2PO.sub.4, where M represents one or more monovalent cations or a combination of monovalent cations and divalent cations, 0<x≤2/9, and y is a number that provides charge balancing.

Provided are membranes useful for electrochemical or fuel cells. A membrane may be formed of or include a sulfonated polymer whereby the sulfonated polymer is covalently or ionically associated with a multi-nitrogen containing heterocyclic molecule. The resulting membranes possess excellent ion conductivity and selectivity.

Provided are membranes useful for electrochemical or fuel cells. A membrane may be formed of or include a sulfonated polymer whereby the sulfonated polymer is covalently or ionically associated with a multi-nitrogen containing heterocyclic molecule. The resulting membranes possess excellent ion conductivity and selectivity.

The present invention relates to a bipolar plate for a low-temperature fuel cell, in particular for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, including a metal substrate with a coating on a surface of the substrate, the coating including an organic polymer and an electroconductive filler. The organic polymer is formed by chemical reaction of at least two components, including a bi- or polyfunctional isocyanate compound as the first component and one or more compounds having at least two free hydroxy or amino groups, as the second component.

The present invention relates to a bipolar plate for a low-temperature fuel cell, in particular for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, including a metal substrate with a coating on a surface of the substrate, the coating including an organic polymer and an electroconductive filler. The organic polymer is formed by chemical reaction of at least two components, including a bi- or polyfunctional isocyanate compound as the first component and one or more compounds having at least two free hydroxy or amino groups, as the second component.

A laminated electrolyte membrane including a first layer including a hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte as a major component, and a second layer including a fluoropolymer electrolyte and polyvinylidene fluoride as major components laminated on at least one side of the first layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are laminated via a region in which components constituting both layers are mixed in a mixed region.