Ionomer impregnation of electrode substrates for improved fuel cell performance
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsJiujun Zhang, Kevin M. Colbow, David P. Wilkinson
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Abstract
Liquid feed fuel cell performance can be increased by impregnating electrode substrates with a proton conducting ionomer prior to incorporation of the electrocatalyst, and optionally also after application of the electrocatalyst. Ionomer impregnation is particularly effective for direct methanol fuel cell anodes that comprise carbonaceous substrates.
Claims23
A method of increasing the utilization of the electrocatalyst in a liquid feed, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an electrode supplied with a liquid reactant stream, said electrode comprising a substrate and an electrocatalyst, said method comprising:
- impregnating said substrate with a first proton conducting ionomer;
- and
- applying said electrocatalyst to said impregnated substrate, thereby inducing a higher rate of electrochemical conversion in said liquid feed, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
A liquid feed, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising an electrode supplied with a liquid reactant stream, said electrode comprising a substrate and an electrocatalyst, wherein said substrate is impregnated with a first proton conducting ionomer and said electrocatalyst is applied to said impregnated substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.