# US 2017/0256809 A1 · Reinforced electrode assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0256809 A1 - Document ID: US20170256809A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/599,978 - Filed: 2017-05-19 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2008-01-11 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Scott C. Moose; John P. Healy; Bradley M. Houghtaling; Timothy J. Fuller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170256809A1 ## CPC - H01M 8/1004: characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] (H01M8/12 takes precedence) - H01M 4/8825: {Methods for deposition of the catalytic active composition} - H01M 4/8892: {Impregnation or coating of the catalyst layer, e.g. by an ionomer} - H01M 8/00: Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof - H01M 8/1058: characterised by a porous support having no ion-conducting properties - H01M 8/1069: characterised by the manufacturing processes - H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes} - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract Disclosed are fuel cell systems, reinforced membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for fabricating a reinforced membrane electrode assembly. In an example, a disclosed method includes depositing an electrode ink onto a first substrate to form a first electrode layer, and applying a first porous reinforcement layer onto a surface of the first electrode layer to form a first catalyst coated substrate. The method also includes depositing a first ionomer solution onto the first catalyst coated substrate to form a first ionomer layer. A membrane porous reinforcement layer is applied onto a surface of the first ionomer layer to form a reinforced membrane layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reinforced membrane electrode assembly comprising: a first catalyst coated substrate including a first electrode layer and a first porous reinforcement layer on the first electrode layer, the first electrode layer being formed from an electrode ink on a first substrate, the electrode ink including a proton-transmissive ionomer and a catalyst, the proton-transmissive ionomer including an ionomer matrix with a plurality of electrically conductive support particles substantially evenly distributed throughout; and a reinforced membrane layer on the first catalyst coated substrate, the reinforced membrane layer including a first ionomer layer and a membrane porous reinforcement layer on the first ionomer layer, the first ionomer layer including the proton-transmissive ionomer and an at least partially fluorinated polymer electrolyte. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the reinforced membrane layer further includes a second ionomer layer positioned on the membrane porous reinforcement layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 2, further comprising a second catalyst coated substrate including a second electrode layer on a second substrate, the second catalyst coated substrate attached to the second ionomer layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 3, further comprising an adhesive ionomer layer attaching the second catalyst coated substrate to the second ionomer layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second porous reinforcement layer attached to the second electrode layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the membrane porous reinforcement layer is imbibed or impregnated with the first ionomer layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the first porous reinforcement layer is imbibed or impregnated with the first electrode layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The reinforced membrane electrode assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second catalyst coated substrate including a second electrode layer on a second substrate positioned on the membrane porous reinforcement layer such that the membrane porous reinforcement layer is adjacent the second electrode layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The reinforced electrode membrane assembly of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive ionomer layer located between the membrane porous reinforcement layer and the second electrode layer. ### Claim 10 A fuel cell comprising: a reinforced membrane electrode assembly including: a first catalyst coated substrate including a first electrode layer and a first porous reinforcement layer on the first electrode layer, the first electrode layer being formed from an electrode ink on a first substrate, the electrode ink including a proton-transmissive ionomer and a catalyst, the proton-transmissive ionomer including an ionomer matrix with electrically conductive support particles substantially evenly distributed throughout, and a reinforced membrane layer on the first catalyst coated substrate, the reinforced membrane layer including a first ionomer layer and a membrane porous reinforcement layer on the first ionomer layer, the first ionomer layer including the proton-transmissive ionomer and an at least partially fluorinated polymer electrolyte; and a first plate positioned on a substrate side of the first catalyst coated substrate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the reinforced membrane layer further includes a second ionomer layer on the membrane porous reinforcement layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fuel cell of claim 11, further comprising: a second catalyst coated substrate including a second electrode layer on a second substrate, the second catalyst coated substrate attached to the second ionomer layer; and a second plate positioned on a substrate side of the second catalyst coated substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fuel cell of claim 12, further comprising an adhesive ionomer layer attaching the second catalyst coated substrate to the second ionomer layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The fuel cell of claim 12, further comprising a second porous reinforcement layer attached to the second electrode layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the membrane porous reinforcement layer is imbibed or impregnated with the first ionomer layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The fuel cell of claim 10, wherein the first porous reinforcement layer is imbibed or impregnated with the first electrode layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The fuel cell of claim 10, further comprising a second catalyst coated substrate including a second electrode layer on a second substrate positioned on the membrane porous reinforcement layer such that the membrane porous reinforcement layer is adjacent the second electrode layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fuel cell of claim 17, further comprising an adhesive ionomer layer located between the membrane porous reinforcement layer and the second electrode layer.