Membrane electrode assembly having low surface ionomer concentration
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorMichael K. Budinski
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Abstract
A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane having at least one electrode layer on each of the opposing sides of the membrane. The electrode layer comprises a catalyst, an electrically conductive particulate material and an ionomer binder. The ionomer binder concentration on the exterior surface of the MEA is lower than the ionomer binder concentration near the electrode membrane interface. The electrode layer is formed by casting and drying a solvent ink layer between a nonporous release surface and a porous releasable decal.
Claims13
A method of making a membrane electrode assembly comprising:
- casting onto a nonporous release surface a solvent ink layer comprising a volatile solvent, a catalyst, an electrically conductive particulate material, and an ionomer binder;
- disposing a porous releasable decal over the solvent ink layer;
- drying to remove the volatile solvent from the solvent ink layer to form an electrode layer,
- peeling off the electrode layer and the decal together from the nonporous release surface;
- providing a polymer electrolyte membrane having two sides;
- pressing the electrode layer and the decal together against at least one of the sides of the membrane with the electrode layer in intimate contact with the membrane, causing the electrode layer to bond securely onto the membrane;
- and
- removing the releasable decal from the electrode layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.