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Membrane catalyst layer for fuel cells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:868885
 [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 5234777
OSTI ID:
868885
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (4)

A Nafion�-bound platinized carbon electrode for oxygen reduction in solid polymer electrolyte cells journal May 1989
Preparation and characterization of SPE composites forelectrolyzers and fuel cells journal August 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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/429/427/
10
35
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