Air electrode assemblies incorporating ion exchange materials

An air electrode, comprising

• an active layer;
• a catalyst layer configured to catalyze an electrochemical reaction in a triple phase zone that includes a gaseous phase, a solid phase, and a liquid phase;
• and
• an ion exchange material arranged to contact the active layer, wherein the ion exchange material incorporates a wettability property that results in the ion exchange material being only partly wetted by the liquid phase, and wherein the partial wetting further prevents a flooding of the catalyst layer by the liquid phase.

A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, comprising

• providing a first electrode comprising an air electrode;
• providing a second electrode;
• arranging an ion exchange material to contact the air electrode, wherein the ion exchange material is configured to conduct one or more ions associated with an electrochemical reaction associated with the electrochemical cell;
• providing an ion transport material to contact both the ion exchange material of the air electrode and the second electrode;
• providing a catalyst layer configured to catalyze an electrochemical reaction in a triple phase zone that includes a gaseous phase, a solid phase, and a liquid phase;
• and
• incorporating a wettability property into the ion exchange material, wherein the wettability results in the ion exchange material being only partly wetted by the liquid phase, and wherein the partial wetting further prevents a flooding of the catalyst layer by the liquid phase.