# US 11,114,684 B2 · Fuel cell membrane-electrode assembly

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- Number: US 11,114,684 B2
- Document ID: US11114684B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/096,801
- Filed: 2017-04-28
- Published: 2020-11-12
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-28
- Applicants: Kolon Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Myoung-Ki Min
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11114684B2

## CPC

- H01M 8/1004: characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] (H01M8/12 takes precedence)
- H01M 4/8657: {layered}
- H01M 4/8663: {Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for catalytic active masses, e.g. binders, fillers}
- H01M 4/8673: {Electrically conductive fillers}
- H01M 4/9016: {Oxides, hydroxides or oxygenated metallic salts}
- H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell is provided. The membrane-electrode assembly includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode which are positioned oppositely to each other; and a polymer electrolyte membrane positioned between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The cathode electrode and the anode electrode each includes an electrode substrate; a micropore layer which is positioned on the electrode substrate; and a first catalyst layer positioned on the micropore layer, at least one of a second catalyst layer is positioned between the first catalyst layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane, and the second catalyst layer includes a reaction inducing material which is a metal or alloy.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprising:
a cathode electrode and an anode electrode which are positioned oppositely to each other; and
a polymer electrolyte membrane which is positioned between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode,
the cathode electrode and the anode electrode each including:
an electrode substrate;
a micropore layer which is positioned on the electrode substrate; and
a first catalyst layer which is positioned on the micropore layer,
the cathode electrode, the anode electrode, or both thereof further including a second catalyst layer being positioned between the first catalyst layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane,
wherein the second catalyst layer includes a reaction inducing material, and
wherein the reaction inducing material is Ir8Ru2FeOx, wherein x is an integer of 0.5 to 2.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the second catalyst layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 5 μm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the second catalyst layer further includes a support which supports the reaction inducing material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 3, wherein the reaction inducing material is included in an amount of 20 to 99 wt % with respect to a total amount of the reaction inducing material and the support.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 3, wherein the support includes graphite, Denka black, Ketjen black, acetylene black, carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanowire, carbon nanoball, activated carbon, stabilized carbon, indium tin oxide (ITO), or a combination thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the second catalyst layer further includes an additive selected from the group consisting of SiO2, TiO2, WOx, and ZrO2, wherein x is an integer of 0.5 to 2.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 6, wherein the second catalyst layer further includes a support which supports the reaction inducing material and the additive.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 7, wherein the reaction inducing material and the additive are included in a total content of 20 to 99 wt % with respect to a total amount of the reaction inducing material, the additive, and the support.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 7, wherein the additive is included in an amount of 0.5 to 5 wt % with respect to a total amount of the reaction inducing material, the additive, and the support.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The membrane-electrode assembly for the fuel cell of claim 7, wherein the support includes graphite, Denka black, Ketjen black, acetylene black, carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanowire, carbon nanoball, activated carbon, stabilized carbon, indium tin oxide (ITO), or a combination thereof.