Title: Nanofiber membrane-electrode-assembly and method of fabricating same

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) has an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. At least one of the anode electrode, the cathode electrode and the membrane is formed of electrospun nanofibers.

Inventors:

Pintauro, Peter N.; Ballengee, Jason; Brodt, Matthew

Issue Date:

2016-02-02

Research Org.:

Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1241530

Patent Number(s):

9252445

Application Number:

13/872,953

Assignee:

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C48/0021 - {combined with joining, lining or laminating}
B29C48/07 - Flat, e.g. panels
B29C48/142 - {using force fields, e.g. gravity or electrical fields
B29C48/21 - the layers being joined at their surfaces

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

B29K2027/18 - PTFE, i.e. polytetrafluorethene {, e.g. ePTFE, i.e. expanded polytetrafluorethene}
B29K2105/0014 - {Catalysts}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29L - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

B29L2031/3468 - {Batteries, accumulators or fuel cells

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B32 - LAYERED PRODUCTS B32B - LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

B32B2250/03 - 3 layers
B32B2262/0238 - Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
B32B2327/18 - PTFE, i.e. polytetrafluoroethylene
B32B2457/18 - Fuel cells
B32B37/10 - characterised by the pressing technique, e.g. using action of vacuum or fluid pressure
B32B37/18 - involving the assembly of discrete sheets or panels only
B32B37/182 - {one or more of the layers being plastic}
B32B5/022 - {Non-woven fabric}
B32B5/08 - the fibres or filaments of a layer being of different substances {, e.g. conjugate fibres, mixture of different fibres}

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01G - CAPACITORS

H01G11/52 - Separators

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M2008/1095 - {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
H01M4/8605 - {Porous electrodes}
H01M4/8673 - {Electrically conductive fillers}
H01M4/8825 - {Methods for deposition of the catalytic active composition}
H01M8/1004 - characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]
H01M8/1007 - with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG36-06GO16030

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2013 Apr 29

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; 08 HYDROGEN; 77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY