A polybenzimidazole production method for producing the polybenzimidazole including a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.f is —SO.sub.2—, —O—, —CO—, an alkylene group optionally containing a substituent, or a group represented by the following formula (a):

##STR00002##

two Xs are each individually a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; and R.sup.1 is a divalent organic group, the production method including a step (1-1) of polymerizing a tetramine compound and a dicarboxylic acid derivative compound to provide a polybenzimidazole precursor polyamide, and a step (1-2) of dehydrocyclizing the polybenzimidazole precursor polyamide.

The present application provides methods for producing polybenzimidazole carbon fiber that does not require infusibilization treatment.

A continuous automated process and production line for preparing an acid doped polybenzimidazole, PBI, polymer membrane film for use in a fuel cell, the process having a washing stage, a drying procedure, and a doping stage.

A continuous automated process and production line for preparing an acid doped polybenzimidazole, PBI, polymer membrane film for use in a fuel cell, the process having a washing stage, a drying procedure, and a doping stage.

A self-healing capacitor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between said first and second electrodes and having first surface faced the first electrode and second surface faced the second electrode. At least one of the electrodes can include metal foam. The dielectric layer can have electrically conductive channels that each has an exit point located on the first surface of the dielectric layer and another exit point located on the second surface of the dielectric layer. The electrodes can include local contact breakers each of which is located within the electrode at an interface between the dielectric layer and the electrode and opposite at least one exit point of each electrically conductive channel in the dielectric layer. The local contact breakers can prevent electric current through the conductive channels in dielectric layer.

A self-healing capacitor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between said first and second electrodes and having first surface faced the first electrode and second surface faced the second electrode. At least one of the electrodes can include metal foam. The dielectric layer can have electrically conductive channels that each has an exit point located on the first surface of the dielectric layer and another exit point located on the second surface of the dielectric layer. The electrodes can include local contact breakers each of which is located within the electrode at an interface between the dielectric layer and the electrode and opposite at least one exit point of each electrically conductive channel in the dielectric layer. The local contact breakers can prevent electric current through the conductive channels in dielectric layer.

The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a first layer that includes a polymer having a repeat unit with a structure that includes

##STR00001##

where m is between 2 and 100, inclusively, the repeat unit is protonated at at least one of position A) and/or B) and/or sulfonated at at least one of rings 1) and/or 2), R.sub.1 includes at least one of a lone pair of electrons, a covalent bond, hydrogen, and/or a hydrocarbon functional group, R.sub.2 includes at least one of a lone pair of electrons, a covalent bond, hydrogen, and/or a hydrocarbon functional group, and is a covalent bond.

The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a first layer that includes a polymer having a repeat unit with a structure that includes

##STR00001##

where m is between 2 and 100, inclusively, the repeat unit is protonated at at least one of position A) and/or B) and/or sulfonated at at least one of rings 1) and/or 2), R.sub.1 includes at least one of a lone pair of electrons, a covalent bond, hydrogen, and/or a hydrocarbon functional group, R.sub.2 includes at least one of a lone pair of electrons, a covalent bond, hydrogen, and/or a hydrocarbon functional group, and is a covalent bond.

A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.

A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.