Reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis and membrane electrode assembly having the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis, and a membrane electrode assembly having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), wherein a two-dimensionally woven fabric base, layer that, minimizes swelling of the membrane in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is covered on a hydrogen electrode to which high pressure is applied or on hydrogen and oxygen electrodes by three-dimensionally electrospun reinforcing fiber layers, the reinforcing fiber layers minimizing swelling of the membrane in the Z-axis direction, thereby reducing permeation of oxygen (O 2 ) via the hydrogen electrode and enabling operation under high pressure due to high dimensional stability.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis, the reinforced composite membrane being manufactured by: electrospinning fibers from a polyelectrolyte solution to opposite surfaces of a polymer-woven fabric base layer, thus forming an electrospun reinforcing fiber layer; and impregnating the electrospun fiber reinforced layer with a polyelectrolyte solution. 
     
     
         2 . The reinforced composite membrane for electrolysis of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer-woven fabric base layer is made of one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group of polyetheretherketone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, polybenzimidazole, and polystyrene. 
     
     
         3 . The reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis of  claim 1 , wherein the polyelectrolyte solution that forms the electrospun reinforcing fiber layer or impregnates the electrospun reinforcing fiber layer includes a fluorinated ionomer. 
     
     
         4 . The reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis of  claim 3 , wherein the polyelectrolyte solution forming the electrospun reinforcing fiber layer is a mixed electrolyte solution that further includes a copolymer. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis of  claim 4 , wherein, in the mixed electrolyte solution forming the electrospun reinforcing fiber layer, the polyelectrolyte solution, and the copolymer are mixed at a ratio of 4:1 to 1:1. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis of  claim 1 , where in the polymer-woven fabric base layer is made by weaving or laminating polymer fibers. 
     
     
         7 . A membrane electrode assembly formed by bonding electrodes and a polymer electrolyte membrane into a single body, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is the reinforced composite membrane for water electrolysis of  claim 1 .