Material for an electrochemical device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a material for an electrochemical device, especially a fuel cell, an electrolyzer or a storage battery, comprising a matrix and activated boron nitride contained in the matrix.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A material for an electrochemical device, comprising a matrix and activated boron nitride contained in the matrix, wherein the matrix comprises one of the following: PTFE, PVDF, PVDF-G-PSSA, silica nanoparticles, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
         2 . The material as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the boron nitride is in the form of percolated grains. 
     
     
         3 . The material as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the boron nitride is crystallized in a hexagonal form. 
     
     
         4 . The material as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the boron nitride is turbostratic. 
     
     
         5 . The material as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a mineral matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The material as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a matrix comprising at least one of an organic material and an inorganic material. 
     
     
         7 . The material as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the boron nitride is present in the material in a mass proportion between 5 and 100%. 
     
     
         8 . An extruded film made or that may be made from a material as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A casting film made from a material as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A proton-exchange membrane for an electrochemical device, especially a fuel cell, an electrolyzer or an accumulator, comprising a layer of the material as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A cell of a fuel cell, an electrolyzer or an accumulator, comprising:
 an anode,   a cathode, and   a proton-exchange membrane with or without catalytic layer,   
       wherein at least one of the cathode and the membrane comprising the material as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The cell as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the activated boron nitride is pulverulent. 
     
     
         13 . The cell as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the proton-exchange membrane is impermeable to hydrogen. 
     
     
         14 . The cell as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the proton-exchange membrane has a thickness less than or equal to 500 μm. 
     
     
         15 . An electrolyzer comprising a cell as defined in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         16 . A fuel cell comprising a cell as defined in claim and also a circuit for conveying a fuel on the cathode side and a circuit for conveying an oxidant on the anode side. 
     
     
         17 . A process for activating a material for an electrochemical device, comprising a matrix and boron nitride contained in the matrix, comprising:
 exposing the material to a fluid , wherein the fluid provides hydroxyl radicals —OH and/or H 3 O +  and/or SO 4   2−  ions and creates in the boron nitride B—OH, B—SO 4 H, B—SO 3 H, N—SO 4 H, N—SO 3 H and/or NH 2  bonds.   
     
     
         18 . The process as claimed in  claim 17 , in which the material is exposed to an acidic solution. 
     
     
         19 . The process as claimed in  claim 17 , in which the material is exposed to a basic solution.