ION-CONDUCTING MEMBRANE
An ion-conducting membrane comprising a polymer component and a macrocyclic compound, wherein the macro-cyclic compound is functionalised with one or more ion-conducting groups is disclosed. The membrane is suitable for use in a fuel cell.
1 . An ion-conducting membrane comprising a polymer component and a macrocyclic compound, wherein the macrocyclic compound is functionalised with one or more ion-conducting groups.
2 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic compound is functionalised with an acidic group selected from one or more of sulphonic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups and carboxylic acid groups.
3 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic compound is functionalised with sulphonic acid groups.
4 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic compound is chosen from the group consisting of phthalocyanines, porphyrins and tetraazaannulenes.
5 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic compound is in its free base form.
6 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the macrocyclic compound is in a metallated form.
7 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the polymer component is an ion-conducting polymer.
8 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the polymer component is not an ion-conducting polymer.
9 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the polymer component to the macrocyclic compound is between 50:1 and 1:2.
10 . The ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane further comprises a reinforcing material.
11 . A catalyst coated membrane comprising an ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 and an electrocatalyst layer on the membrane.
12 . A membrane electrode assembly comprising an ion-conducting membrane according to claim 1 .
13 . An electrocatalyst ink comprising an electrocatalyst, a polymer component and a macrocyclic component, wherein the macrocyclic component is functionalised with one or more ion-conducting groups.
14 . An electrocatalyst layer comprising an electrocatalyst, a polymer component and a macrocyclic component, wherein the macrocyclic component is functionalised with one or more ion-conducting groups.