Fuel cells having improved durability
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSean M. MacKinnon, Frank Coms, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman, Ruichun Jiang
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Abstract
A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability.
Claims10
A method of producing a fuel cell comprising:
- providing fuel cell stack components including at least a cathode, an anode, a gas diffusion media, a bipolar plate and an ion conductive membrane, each having an active and non-active areas;
- disposing a peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy in said non-active area of at least one of said stack components and wherein the metal compound comprises an organometallic compound comprising at least one of a metal EDTA compound, a metal phthalocyanine, or a metal prophyrin.
A membrane electrode assembly comprising a peroxide decomposition metal compound disposed in the non-active area of the membrane electrode assembly and wherein the metal compound comprises an organometallic compound comprising at least one of a metal EDTA compound, a metal phthalocyanine, or a metal prophyrin.
A fuel cell gasket comprising a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy and wherein the metal compound comprises an organometallic compound comprising at least one of a metal EDTA compound, a metal phthalocyanine, or a metal prophyrin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.