18308988. Ionomer for Fuel Cell Capable of Self-Assembly and Method of Preparing the Same simplified abstract (Kia Corporation)

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Ionomer for Fuel Cell Capable of Self-Assembly and Method of Preparing the Same

Organization Name

Kia Corporation

Inventor(s)

Il Seok Chae of Seoul (KR)

Jong Kil Oh of Yongin-si (KR)

Jong Hak Kim of Seoul (KR)

Du Yeol Ryu of Seoul (KR)

So Youn Lee of Seoul (KR)

Ionomer for Fuel Cell Capable of Self-Assembly and Method of Preparing the Same - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18308988 titled 'Ionomer for Fuel Cell Capable of Self-Assembly and Method of Preparing the Same

Simplified Explanation

The embodiment ionomer for a fuel cell described in the abstract is a copolymer with hydrophilic moieties at both ends, including a styrene unit and a proton conductive functional group, separated by a hydrophobic moiety containing an ethylene-based unit, a butylene-based unit, an isoprene-based unit, or a combination thereof.

  • The copolymer in the ionomer has no carbon-oxygen bond.
  • The hydrophilic moieties at both ends of the copolymer enhance proton conductivity.
  • The hydrophobic moiety in between the hydrophilic moieties provides structural stability and prevents water flooding.

Potential Applications

The ionomer could be used in fuel cells for various applications such as portable electronics, electric vehicles, and stationary power generation.

Problems Solved

This technology addresses the challenge of maintaining high proton conductivity while ensuring structural integrity and preventing water flooding in fuel cell membranes.

Benefits

  • Improved proton conductivity
  • Enhanced structural stability
  • Reduced water flooding

Potential Commercial Applications

"Advanced Ionomer for Fuel Cell Applications: Enhancing Proton Conductivity and Structural Stability"

Possible Prior Art

There may be prior art related to copolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments for fuel cell applications, but specific examples would need to be researched.

Unanswered Questions

How does this ionomer compare to existing fuel cell membrane materials in terms of performance and durability?

The article does not provide a direct comparison with other fuel cell membrane materials, so it is unclear how this ionomer stacks up against existing options.

What are the potential challenges or limitations of implementing this ionomer in commercial fuel cell systems?

The article does not address any potential drawbacks or obstacles that may arise when using this ionomer in real-world fuel cell applications.


Original Abstract Submitted

An embodiment ionomer for a fuel cell includes a copolymer having no carbon-oxygen bond, wherein the copolymer includes hydrophilic moieties disposed at both ends, wherein each hydrophilic moiety includes a styrene unit and a proton conductive functional group, and a hydrophobic moiety interposed between the hydrophilic moieties, wherein the hydrophobic moiety includes an ethylene-based unit, a butylene-based unit, an isoprene-based unit, or any combination thereof.