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US 2004/0166397 A1Published application
Cathode structure for direct methanol fuel cell
OwnerThomas I. Valdez, Sekharipuram R. Narayananinventors
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Abstract
Techniques and compositions for forming a cathode electrode and an anode electrode are described herein. These techniques optimize the operation of the cathode and anode for use in fuel cells. Formation techniques for the cathode, anode, and fuel cells are also described herein.
Claims22
A process for making a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, comprising:
- (a) applying a proton-electron conducting ink at room temperature to a first side of a substantially planar substrate;
- (b) roughening a second side of the substrate with an abrasive;
- (c) applying a hydrophobic-free catalyst layer to the second side of the substrate;
- (d) applying a hydrophobic catalyst layer to a first support backing;
- (e) applying a catalyst layer to a second support backing;
- and
- (f) heat pressing the first support backing to the second side of the substrate and the second support backing to the first side of the substrate, thereby forming a membrane electrode assembly.
4 more elements
A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising:
- a first support backing;
- a hydrophobic catalyst layer on the first support backing;
- a second support backing;
- a catalyst layer on the second support backing;
- an electrolyte membrane having a first side and a second side, wherein at least the first side is roughened;
- a hydrophobic-free catalyst layer on the roughened first side of the electrolyte membrane;
- and
- an electron-proton conducting layer on the second side of the electrolyte membrane,
- wherein the first support backing comprising the hydrophobic catalyst layer is in contact with the roughened first side of the electrolyte membrane comprising the hydrophobic-free catalyst layer and wherein the second support backing comprising the catalyst layer is in contact with the electron-proton conducting layer on the second side of the electrolyte membrane.
6 more elements
A fuel cell electrode comprising a backing material, a hydrophobic catalyst layer on the backing material, and a hydrophobic-free catalyst layer on a roughened electrolyte membrane surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.