Liquid materials for use in electrochemical cells

Abstract

Disclosed is the use of liquid precursor materials to prepare a processible polymeric electrolyte, which can be used to form a proton exchange membrane for use in an electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is the use of liquid precursor materials to prepare a processible catalyst ink composition, which can be conformally applied to a proton exchange membrane and a electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is the use of a photocurable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) material to form a microfluidic electrochemical cell.

1 . A polymeric electrolyte membrane, comprising:
 a polymerized 100% solids liquid precursor material, wherein prior to polymerization the 100% solids liquid precursor material is a liquid at about 40 degrees Celsius.   
   
   
       2 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric electrolyte membrane has an equivalent weight, and wherein the equivalent weight is selected from the group consisting of an equivalent weight less than about 1500 and greater than about 1000, an equivalent weight less than about 1000 and greater than about 800, an equivalent weight less than about 800 and greater than about 500, and an equivalent weight less than about 500. 
   
   
       3 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 1 , wherein the 100% solids liquid precursor material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a proton conductive material, a precursor to a proton conductive material, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 1 , wherein the 100% solids liquid precursor material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a monomer, an oligomer, a macromonomer, an ionomer, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the monomer, the oligomer, the macromonomer, and the ionomer comprises a functionalized perfluoropolyether (PFPE) material. 
   
   
       6 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 5 , wherein the functionalized perfluoropolyether (PFPE) material comprises a backbone structure selected from the group consisting of: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein X comprises an endcapping group, and n is an integer from 1 to 100. 
     
   
   
       7 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 5 , wherein the functionalized PFPE material is selected from the group consisting of: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl, and wherein m and n are each independently integers from 1 to 100. 
     
   
   
       8 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 4 , wherein the ionomer is selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid material, a derivative of a sulfonic acid material, and a phosphoric acid material. 
   
   
       9 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the derivative of a sulfonic acid material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein:
 Y is selected from the group consisting of —SO 2 F and —SO 3 H; 
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl; fluoroalkenyl, cyano, and nitro; 
 
       X 1  is selected from the group consisting of a bond, O, S, SO, SO 2 , CO, NR 2 , and R 3 ; 
       X 2  is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NR 2 , X comprises an endcapping group; and wherein:
 R 2  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; and 
 R 3  is selected from the group consisting of alkylene, substituted alkylene, aryl, and unsubstituted aryl; 
 Ar is selected from the group consisting of aryl and substituted aryl; 
 B is 1,2-perfluorocyclobutylene; 
 t is an integer from 1 to 3; 
 m is an integer from 0 to 1000; 
 p is an integer from 1 to 1000; and 
 q is an integer from 1 to 5. 
 
     
   
   
       10 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 1 , wherein the 100% solids liquid precursor material comprises a crosslinkable material. 
   
   
       11 . A polymeric electrolyte membrane, comprising a fluoropolymer membrane having an equivalent weight of less than 850. 
   
   
       12 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the membrane has a conductivity of between about 0.085 S/cm and about 0.14 S/cm over a temperature range of between about 25 degrees Celsius and about 80 degrees Celsius in hydrated form. 
   
   
       13 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the equivalent weight is less than 800. 
   
   
       14 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the equivalent weight is less than 660. 
   
   
       15 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 14 , wherein the membrane has a conductivity of between about 0.13 S/cm and about 0.26 S/cm over a temperature range of between about 20 degrees Celsius and about 80 degrees Celsius when fully hydrated. 
   
   
       16 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the equivalent weight is less than 550. 
   
   
       17 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 16 , wherein the membrane has a conductivity of between about 0.25 S/cm and about 0.45 S/cm over a temperature range of between about 20 degrees Celsius and about 80 degrees Celsius when fully hydrated. 
   
   
       18 . The polymeric electrolyte membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the fluorinated membrane comprises a crosslinkable material. 
   
   
       19 . A membrane, comprising:
 a polymerized 100% solids liquid precursor material comprising greater than about 50% by weight of a sulfonic acid precursor and less than about 50% by weight of a fluoropolymer, wherein the membrane has a conductivity of greater than about 0.14 S/cm when fully hydrated.   
   
   
       20 . The membrane of  claim 19 , wherein the membrane comprises a crosslinkable material.