Enhanced catalyst interface for membrane electrode assembly
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsMark K. Debe, Amy E. Hester
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Abstract
A membrane electrode subassembly includes an ion conducting membrane and a microporous layer having microtextured surfaces. Complementary features of the microtextured surfaces may be formed as grooves, ridges, pyramids or other shapes. Features of the microtextured surface of the ion conducting membrane engage features of the microporous layer. The engagement of the features of the microtextured surfaces may involve an interlocking fit, a tongue and groove fit, or another type of engagement. A thin catalyst layer is disposed between the microtextured surfaces. The microtextured surfaces increase the surface area at the catalyst layer interfaces.
Claims39
A membrane electrode subassembly, comprising:
- an ion conducting membrane comprising a microtextured first surface;
- a microporous layer of a diffusion current collector, the microporous layer comprising a microtextured second surface, the microtextured first surface and the microtextured second surface comprising complementary features, wherein the features of the microtextured second surface are configured to engage the features of the microtextured first surface;
- and
- a catalyst layer disposed between the first and second microtextured surfaces.
A method of manufacturing a subassembly, comprising:
- developing a microtextured first surface on an ion conducting membrane;
- developing a microtextured second surface on a microporous layer of a diffusion current collector layer, the microtextured first surface and the microtextured second surface comprising complementary features, wherein the features of the microtextured first surface are configured to engage the features of the microtextured second surface;
- and
- disposing a catalyst layer between the microtextured first surface and the microtextured second surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.