Membrane electrode assembly having bifunctional catalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers

A fuel cell for a vehicle comprising:

• an anode layer;
• a cathode layer;
• a polymer electrolyte membrane extending between the anode layer and the cathode layer;
• and
• a bifunctional catalyst disposed in the polymer electrolyte membrane;
• wherein the bifunctional catalyst comprises a noble metal supported on a metal oxide compound;
• wherein the noble metal comprises at least one of Pt and Pd;
• wherein the metal oxide compound comprises at least one of CeO2, CexZryO4, MnO2, CeEO, MnEOx, and CoEOx;
• wherein the bifunctional catalyst in the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a ratio of Pt to CeO2 in a range of 1%-80% by weight;
• wherein the anode layer comprises a catalyst blend comprising of the bifunctional catalyst and a platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst;
• and
• wherein the catalyst blend comprises 1 wt % to 60 wt % of the bifunctional catalyst and a remaining wt % of the Pt/C catalyst.

An electrolyzer comprising:

• an anode layer;
• a cathode layer;
• a polymer electrolyte membrane extending between the anode layer and the cathode layer;
• and
• a bifunctional catalyst disposed in the polymer electrolyte membrane;
• and
• wherein the bifunctional catalyst comprises a noble metal supported on a metal oxide compound.