| abstract |
Apparatus and method for performing an electrochemical process involving hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentraton cell. Specific applications are fuel cells for producing an electrical current and separation of hydrogen from a gaseous mixture. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises a three-component blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), with an inorganic comound, such as a phosphoric acid, and a polyorganic acid, such as poly(acrylic acid), in a mutually miscible solvent. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support. In one embodiment, electrically conductive particles with catalyst are partially embedded in the membrane to form a hydrogen separating device. |