A polymer compound including a repeating unit represented by Formula: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, a1, a2, and a11 in Formula 1 are as defined in the specification.

A method for preparing a hydrogel includes forming a pre-gel comprising polymer and metal salt particles, unidirectionally-shrinking and dehydrating the pre-gel, and impregnating the unidirectionally shrunk and dehydrated pre-gel with an ion solution to crosslink and rehydrate the unidirectionally shrunk and dehydrated pre-gel to produce the hydrogel.

Described herein are anionic phenylene oligomers and polymers, and devices including these materials. The oligomers and polymers can be prepared in a convenient and well-controlled manner, and can be used in cation exchange membranes. Also described is the controlled synthesis of anionic phenylene monomers and their use in synthesizing anionic oligomers and polymers, with precise control of the position and number of anionic groups.

Hydrocarbon proton exchange membranes are disclosed that are composed of a material including a hydrophobic main chain, and acidic side chains. The main chain includes a polyaryl structure that is substantially free of ether linkages and also includes a fluoromethyl substituted carbon. The acidic side chains include a hydrocarbon tether terminated by a strongly acidic group, such as a fluoroalkyl sulfonate group. Chemical stability of the material is increased by removing the ether linkages from the main chain. The hydrophobic main chain and substantially hydrophilic side chains create a phase-separated morphology that affords enhanced transport of protons and water across the membrane even at low relative humidity levels. These materials are advantageous as membranes for use in fuel cells, redox flow batteries, water hydrolysis systems, sensors, electrochemical hydrogen compressors, actuators, water purifiers, gas separators, etc.

Provided is a composition for a hole collecting layer of an organic photoelectric conversion element, the composition containing a solvent and an electron transporting substance comprising a polythiophene derivative that includes a repeating unit represented by formula (1) or formula (1′).

##STR00001##

(In formula (1) and formula (1′), R.sup.1 denotes an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms or a fluorine atom. In formula (1), M denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Na and K, NH(R.sup.2).sub.3 or HNC.sub.5H.sub.5. R.sup.2 groups are each independently a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms.)

The present specification relates to a compound including an aromatic ring, a polymer electrolyte membrane including the same, a membrane-electrode assembly including the polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel cell including the membrane-electrode assembly, and a redox flow battery including the polymer electrolyte membrane.

A multi-acid polymer disclosed herein has the formula

##STR00001##

wherein R is one or more units of a non-SOF.sub.2 or non-SO.sub.2Cl portion of a polymer precursor in sulfonyl fluoride or sulfonyl chloride form, X is a non-sulfonyl halide group of a multi-sulfonyl halide compound having a minimum of two acid giving groups, and Y is remaining sulfonyl halide groups of the multi-sulfonyl halide compound.

The invention provides: imidazole and imidazolium compounds of formulas (I) and (II): ##STR00001##
polymers containing a plurality of imidazolium-containing repeating units of formula (III′): ##STR00002##
and membranes and devices comprising the polymers. Also provided are methods of making the inventive compounds and polymers.

An electrochemical compressor utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer. The compressor may be part of a refrigeration system that pumps the working fluid in a closed loop through a condenser and an evaporator.

A family of carboxylic acid groups containing fluorene/fluorenon copolymers is disclosed as binders of silicon particles in the fabrication of negative electrodes for use with lithium ion batteries. Triethyleneoxide side chains provide improved adhesion to materials such as, graphite, silicon, silicon alloy, tin, tin alloy. These binders enable the use of silicon as an electrode material as they significantly improve the cycle-ability of silicon by preventing electrode degradation over time. In particular, these polymers, which become conductive on first charge, bind to the silicon particles of the electrode, are flexible so as to better accommodate the expansion and contraction of the electrode during charge/discharge, and being conductive promote the flow battery current.