Corrosion resistant PEM fuel cell
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsJames H. Lee, Brian K. Brady, Robert L. Fuss
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell having a catalytic electrode and an electrically conductive contact element facing the electrode. The electrically conductive contact element conducts electrical current from the electrode and has a surface comprising a plurality of passivated regions, and a plurality of non-passivated regions dispersed among the passivated regions. The surface further is coated with an electrically conductive, corrosion resistant coating. Other preferred aspects of the present invention include methods of treating the electrically conductive contact element by passivation to resist corrosion while still maintaining electrical conductivity.
Claims11
An electrochemical cell comprising:
- a catalytic electrode, and an electrically conductive contact element facing said electrode for conducting electrical current from said electrode;
- wherein said electrically conductive contact element has a surface comprising a plurality of passivated regions, and a plurality of non-passivated regions dispersed among said passivated regions, and electrically conductive, corrosion resistant coating, overlaying said surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.