Method and apparatus for the continuous coating of an ion-exchange membrane

Abstract

An ion-exchange membrane may be continuously coated by depositing a catalyst composition on a release surface, drying the catalyst at an elevated temperature and then transferring the dried catalyst layer onto an ion-exchange membrane by applying pressure at a different elevated temperature. Also disclosed is an apparatus for thus continuously coating an ion-exchange membrane. The catalyst coated membrane is of particular use in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells for which a membrane electrode assembly may be prepared by bonding fluid distribution layers to the catalyst coated membrane.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.