Membrane-electrode assembly capable of satisfying both of two requirements of excellent performance and high durability, and fuel cell including same

A fuel cell comprising:

• a first separator;
• a second separator;
• and
• a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between the first and second separators,
• wherein the membrane-electrode assembly comprises:
• an electrolyte membrane;
• a first electrode disposed between the first separator and the electrolyte membrane;
• and
• a second electrode disposed between the second separator and the electrolyte membrane;
• wherein the first electrode comprises first and second segments arranged side by side in a direction parallel to a surface of the electrolyte membrane,
• wherein the first segment comprises a first catalyst,
• wherein the second segment comprises a second catalyst different from the first catalyst,
• wherein the first electrode is a cathode at which a reduction reaction of oxygen occurs,
• wherein the second electrode is an anode at which an oxidation reaction of hydrogen occurs,
• wherein the first segment has higher porosity than the second segment such that water generated at the first electrode by the reduction reaction of oxygen is better discharged from the first segment than from the second segment,
• the first separator comprises a first inlet configured to supply a first gas to the first electrode, a first outlet configured to discharge the first gas, and a first flow channel disposed between the first inlet and the first outlet, and
• the first segment only includes both (i) a portion of the first electrode which corresponds to the first inlet of the first separator and (ii) a portion of the first electrode which corresponds to the first outlet of the first separator.