Structures for gas diffusion materials and methods for their fabrication
AssigneeBASF Fuel Cell GmbH
InventorsEmory S. De Castro, Yu-Min Tsou, Maria Josefina Cayetano, Jeffrey G. Morse, Michael Schneider, Hua Deng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved structure for gas diffusion electrodes and gas diffusion layers whereby fine gradients of porosity and hydrophobicity promote efficient gas transport, water removal and overall enhanced performance of Membrane Electrode Assemblies constructed with these components.
Claims12
A gas diffuser for a membrane electrochemical cell comprising (i) a web and (ii) at least one multilayer coating applied thereto, said coating simultaneously having (a) a porosity fine gradient and (b) a hydrophobicity fine gradient established across its thickness, said porosity fine gradient (a) and said hydrophobicity fine gradient (b) both always decrease in the direction from the surface in contact with said web (i) to the opposite surface and said porosity fine gradient (a) and said hydrophobicity fine gradient (b) are extended within an electrocatalytic layer on top of the multilayer coating surface said electrocatalytic layer being arranged opposite to the web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.