US 12,347,872 B2
Ionomer membranes for fuel cells and related devices
Siddharth Komini Babu, Los Alamos, NM (US); Jacob Schatz Spendelow, Los Alamos, NM (US); Rangachary Mukundan, Los Alamos, NM (US); and Rodney L. Borup, Los Alamos, NM (US)
Assigned to Triad National Security, LLC, Los Alamos, NM (US)
Filed by Triad National Security, LLC, Los Alamos, NM (US)
Filed on Oct. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/060,603.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/931,277, filed on Nov. 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0135248 A1, May 6, 2021
Int. Cl. H01M 4/92 (2006.01); H01M 4/86 (2006.01); H01M 4/88 (2006.01)
CPC H01M 4/921 (2013.01) [H01M 4/8673 (2013.01); H01M 4/8882 (2013.01); H01M 4/8892 (2013.01); H01M 4/926 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ionomer membrane A structure for use in fuel cells and related devices, comprising:
a gas diffusion layer;
an ionomer membrane comprising:
a backbone portion;
a plurality of protrusion pillars formed on the backbone portion, wherein the plurality of protrusion pillars form at least one void between the plurality of protrusion pillars, wherein the at least one void exposes at least one surface area of the backbone portion, wherein a first protrusion pillar of the plurality of protrusion pillars has a width of about 100 nm to about 30,000 nm, and a height of about 0.5 μm to about 200 μm, wherein the plurality of protrusion pillars is adjacent to the gas diffusion layer; and
at least one filler material comprising a catalyst support that comprises carbon and metal particles, and wherein the at least one filler material is located only within the at least one void covering the at least one surface area of the gas diffusion layer, wherein the at least one filler material comprises an ionomer to carbon ratio (I/C) of 0.5 or less, and wherein the at least one filler material is not part of a cathode or anode, and wherein the plurality of protrusions positioned adjacent to the gas diffusion layer is configured to enhance protonic conductivity and reduce an amount of the ionomer in comparison to a flat ionomer membrane.