High current acid fuel cell electrodes
A gas diffusion electrode for conducting an electrochemical reaction in an acid fuel cell is described, consisting essentially of a porous substrate capable of accommodating liquid electrolyte in its pores and having two major surfaces; and a catalyst layer dispersed on one of the major surfaces of the substrate, the catalyst layer comprising first and second interpenetrating fluid transport networks, the first network comprising a mixture of: a catalytically effective amount of catalyst particles, the catalyst particles being catalytically active in promoting the electrochemical reaction, and a porous hydrophobic polymeric binder for providing an interconnecting system of hydrophobic gas transport pathways that establish communication between the substrate pores and the catalyst particles, and the second network comprising: hydrophylic particles substantially inactive in promoting the electrochemical reaction and having surfaces wettable by water, the hydrophilic particles being incorporated into the catalyst layer in a manner which maintains wettability of the surfaces of the hydrophilic particles and in an amount effective to provide an interconnecting system of liquid transport pathways for enhancing transport of aqueous liquid throughout the catalyst layer and across the one major surface of the substrate between the liquid transport pathways and the substrate pores.
- Assignee:
- International Fuel Cells Corp., Windsor, CT (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 5217821
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-830551
- OSTI ID:
- 6468190
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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