Fuel Cell Anode Structures For Voltage Reversal Tolerance

An improved method of imparting voltage reversal tolerance to a fuel cell anode structure comprising a gas diffusion layer, said gas diffusion layer having an electrocatalytic material disposed on a carbon support applied thereto, the improvement comprising:

• applying to said gas diffusion layer a sacrificial carbon component having substantially no resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures and having a BET surface area of at least 350 m2g−1.

A method of preparing a voltage reversal tolerant fuel cell anode structure comprising a gas diffusion layer, the method comprising:

• (a) incorporating into said gas diffusion layer a first carbon component comprising a sacrificial carbon component having substantially no resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures and said first carbon material having a BET surface area of at least 350 m2g−1,
• (b) incorporating into said gas diffusion layer a second carbon component, said second carbon component supporting an electrocatalyst material, said second carbon component having substantially more resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures than said first carbon component.

An improved method of imparting voltage reversal tolerance to a fuel cell anode structure comprising a gas diffusion layer, said gas diffusion layer comprising an electrocatalytic material disposed on a carbon support, the improvement comprising:

• incorporating into said gas diffusion layer a sacrificial carbon component having substantially no resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures and having a BET surface area of at least 350 m2g−1.