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Membrane catalyst layer for fuel cells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:868786
 [1]
  1. Los Alamos, NM
+ Show Author Affiliations
A gas reaction fuel cell incorporates a thin catalyst layer between a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane and a porous electrode backing. The catalyst layer is preferably less than about 10 .mu.m in thickness with a carbon supported platinum catalyst loading less than about 0.35 mgPt/cm.sup.2. The film is formed as an ink that is spread and cured on a film release blank. The cured film is then transferred to the SPE membrane and hot pressed into the surface to form a catalyst layer having a controlled thickness and catalyst distribution. Alternatively, the catalyst layer is formed by applying a Na.sup.+ form of a perfluorosulfonate ionomer directly to the membrane, drying the film at a high temperature, and then converting the film back to the protonated form of the ionomer. The layer has adequate gas permeability so that cell performance is not affected and has a density and particle distribution effective to optimize proton access to the catalyst and electronic continuity for electron flow from the half-cell reaction occurring at the catalyst.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
Assignee:
Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
Patent Number(s):
US 5211984
OSTI ID:
868786
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

A Nafion�-bound platinized carbon electrode for oxygen reduction in solid polymer electrolyte cells journal May 1989
Procedure for preparing solution-cast perfluorosulfonate ionomer films and membranes journal October 1986
Ion‐Transporting Composite Membranes: III . Selectivity and Rate of Ion Transport in Nafion‐Impregnated Gore‐Tex Membranes Prepared by a High‐Temperature Solution Casting Method journal October 1990

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/427/429/
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applying
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carbon
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catalyst
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gas
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half-cell
hot
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proton
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release
solid
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