Electrolyte System for Use in a Fuel Cell

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This patent describes a novel electrolyte system for use in high-temperature fuel cells, specifically designed as a replacement for traditional phosphoric acid electrolytes. The invention involves a proton-conducting fluid composed of an organic base and a strong acid, both containing sulfonic acid groups, which together form a highly acidic ionic liquid or low-melting salt. This system improves proton conductivity and reduces unwanted chemical interactions with platinum catalysts in fuel cells, thereby increasing fuel cell efficiency at operating temperatures between 120°C and 200°C.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Electrolyte system for high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (HT-PEFC) operating between 120–200°C.
• Alternative to conventional phosphoric acid in phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) and other high-temperature fuel cell types.
• Fuel cells in stationary power generation for industrial or residential use.
• Fuel cells for use in transportation, such as buses, trucks, trains, or aviation, where high efficiency and higher temperature operation are required.
• Portable power systems requiring robust, efficient, and long-life fuel cell electrolytes.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces or eliminates the need for phosphoric acid, overcoming its drawbacks such as high catalyst inhibition and volatility.
• The new electrolyte demonstrates high proton conductivity in the desired temperature range, improving fuel cell performance.
• Improves oxygen reduction kinetics at the platinum electrode by minimizing inhibitory effects compared to phosphoric acid, resulting in better catalyst utilization.
• Has high thermal and electrochemical stability, and low volatility, leading to longer electrolyte and fuel cell lifetime.
• Flexibility in formulation allows optimization for specific performance requirements and operating conditions.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a proton-conducting fluid for use in an electrolyte system for a fuel cell, wherein the proton-conducting fluid comprises at least one organic base (B) and at least one strong acid (HS), wherein both the organic base (B) and the strong acid (HS) have a sulfonic acid residue. The proton-conducting fluid according to the invention is present in the form of an ionic liquid and/or a low-melting salt with a melting point below 200 °C. The proton-conducting fluid has at least one base present as a zwitterion of the general formula R3N+-(CH2)n-SO3-, with n = 1, 2 and R = -H, -CH3, -C2H5, wherein the residues R can be identical or different, or of the general formula R3P+-(CH2)n-SO3-, with n = 1, 2 and R = -CH3, -C2H5, wherein the residues R can be identical or different. As strong acid, F3C-SO3H (trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, TfOH) and/or F3C-CF2-SO3H (perfluoroethanesulfonic acid) and/or F3C-SO2-NH-SO2-CF3 (N,N-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) and/or F3C-CF2-SO2-NH-SO2-CF2-CF3 (N,N-bis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide) and/or F3C-SO2-NH-SO2-CF2-CF3 (bis(perfluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) are provided.