Conductive polymer layers to limit transfer of fuel reactants to catalysts of fuel cells to reduce reactant crossover
An apparatus of an aspect includes a fuel cell catalyst layer. The fuel cell catalyst layer is operable to catalyze a reaction involving a fuel reactant. A fuel cell gas diffusion layer is coupled with the fuel cell catalyst layer. The fuel cell gas diffusion layer includes a porous electrically conductive material. The porous electrically conductive material is operable to allow the fuel reactant to transfer through the fuel cell gas diffusion layer to reach the fuel cell catalyst layer. The porous electrically conductive material is also operable to conduct electrons associated with the reaction through the fuel cell gas diffusion layer. An electrically conductive polymer material is coupled with the fuel cell gas diffusion layer. The electrically conductive polymer material is operable to limit transfer of the fuel reactant to the fuel cell catalyst layer.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Assignee:
- Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
- Patent Number(s):
- 9,515,340
- Application Number:
- 13/081,381
- OSTI ID:
- 1334518
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2011 Apr 06
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Interim report re: component parts for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells
Analyses of self-humidification and suppression of gas crossover in Pt-dispersed polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells