Method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell with catalyst-free edge to the frame; MEA and fuel cell with MEA

A method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell, which membrane assembly comprises:

• a membrane with a first side and a second side,
• a first catalyst layer arranged on the first side of the membrane and a second catalyst layer arranged on the second side of the membrane,
• a frame arranged at least on the first side of the membrane, wherein the frame encircles the first catalyst layer in a plane of the main extension direction of the first catalyst layer, and
• a gap between the first catalyst layer and the frame, wherein a thickness of the frame is varied for adjusting a width of the gap, characterized by the following steps:
• positioning a first decal layer, which is made of the same material as the first catalyst layer, on the first side of the membrane relative to the frame, which is positioned on the first side of the membrane, in a way that the first decal layer overlaps the frame,
• positioning a second decal layer, which is made of the same material as the second catalyst layer, on the second side of the membrane,
• pressing the first decal layer and the second decal layer against each other with the membrane and the frame positioned in-between.