A membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that are capable of improving water release in a high current region, where a large amount of water is generated, without impairing water retention under low humidity conditions, and also capable of exhibiting high power generation performance and durability under high humidity conditions, and also reducing the production cost of the electrode catalyst layer. A membrane electrode assembly of the present embodiment includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of electrode catalyst layers sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane. At least one of the pair of electrode catalyst layers contains catalyst-supporting particles having a hydrophobic coating, hydrophobic polymer fibers, and a polymer electrolyte.

A membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that are capable of improving water release in a high current region, where a large amount of water is generated, without impairing water retention under low humidity conditions, and also capable of exhibiting high power generation performance and durability under high humidity conditions, and also reducing the production cost of the electrode catalyst layer. A membrane electrode assembly of the present embodiment includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of electrode catalyst layers sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane. At least one of the pair of electrode catalyst layers contains catalyst-supporting particles having a hydrophobic coating, hydrophobic polymer fibers, and a polymer electrolyte.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 Biphenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL), trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 Biphenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL), trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

In a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly, a catalyst layer is bonded to a catalyst layer support made of a sublimation material by placing the catalyst layer support into contact with the catalyst layer. In the method, an electrolyte membrane is bonded to the catalyst layer by placing the electrolyte membrane into contact with the catalyst layer bonded to the catalyst layer support. In the method, the catalyst layer support is sublimated in a state where the electrolyte membrane is bonded to the catalyst layer.

Disclosed are a highly durable electrolyte membrane having improved ion conductivity and a method of producing the same. The electrolyte membrane may include an ionomer having hydrogen ion conductivity and a complex dispersed in the ionomer. The complex may include: a support; a primary antioxidant loaded on the support and having radical scavenging ability; and a secondary antioxidant loaded on the support and having peroxide decomposition activity.

The present invention relates to a membrane electrode unit comprising a polymer membrane doped with a mineral acid as well as two electrodes, characterized in that the polymer membrane comprises at least one polymer with at least one nitrogen atom and at least one electrode comprises a catalyst which is formed from at least one precious metal and at least one metal less precious according to the electrochemical series.

The present invention relates to a membrane electrode unit comprising a polymer membrane doped with a mineral acid as well as two electrodes, characterized in that the polymer membrane comprises at least one polymer with at least one nitrogen atom and at least one electrode comprises a catalyst which is formed from at least one precious metal and at least one metal less precious according to the electrochemical series.

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 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.