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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Wet proofed conductive current collector for the electrochemical cells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7064636

In an electrochemical cell in which one of the electrodes is exposed to water, the combination comprising, (A) a housing, (B) a fluid impervious ion transporting membrane separating said housing into anode an cathode chamber, (C) a catalytic anode electrode bonded to the side of said membrane facing the anode chamber and adapter to the exposed to a fuel gas, (D) a catalytic cathode electrode bonded to the other side of said membrane facing the cathode chamber adapted to be exposed to an oxidant gas and to water, (E) an electrically conductive, porous, carbon paper sheet in contact with the cathode electrode bonded to said membrane over a substantial portion thereof said carbon paper including a hydrophobic polymer dispersed therein for wet proofing said carbon paper sheet to prevent formation of a water film adjacent to said bonded electrode and interruption of the conductive path between said bonded electrode and said conductive carbon paper sheet, (F) a conductive screen in contact with the wet proofed carbon paper on the side remote from the cathode electrode bonded to the membrane, and (G) conductive plate means in contact with said screen and an output terminal to permit axial current flow from the surface of the bonded cathode electrode to said terminal.

Assignee:
General Electric Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4215183
OSTI ID:
7064636
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English