Process for the manufacture of an electrode for a solid polymer fuel cell
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsGabriele D. Stäb, Peter Urban
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a process for manufacturing an electrode for a PEM fuel cell or an electrochemical energy converter, an ion-exchange polymer is applied to one face of an electrode substrate. An electrocatalyst is then applied to the substrate by electrochemical deposition, preferably from a solution containing one or more complexes or salts of the electrocatalyst. The electrochemical deposition occurs by application of a voltage between a pair of electrodes, one of which is the electrode under preparation. The voltage between the two electrodes is controlled by controlling the potential of the working electrode. A pulsed voltage profile is applied across the two electrodes during the electrodeposition process.
Claims23
A method for the preparation of a membrane-electrode assembly, said method comprising depositing an electrocatalyst by electrochemical deposition on a porous, electrically conductive substrate, said substrate having an ion-conducting polymer film on at least one face thereof, wherein said electrochemical deposition method comprises applying a controlled pulsed voltage between a counterelectrode and a working electrode comprising said substrate during said electrochemical deposition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.