Thermoplastic-imbibed diffusion media to help eliminate mea edge failure

Abstract

A fuel cell that includes a blocking agent for preventing hydrogen and air from contacting bare membrane. This in turn prevents the reaction of air and hydrogen gases at outside edges of the catalyst layers. The blocking agent is deposited within diffusion media layers on one or both of the anode and cathode sides of the fuel cell. The blocking agent extends into the diffusion media layers far enough so that it is within outside edges of the catalyst layers. In one embodiment, the blocking agent is a thermoplastic polymer, such as PVDF, that flows into the diffusion media layers in a melted format, where it hardens.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to fuel cells, and more particularly to fuel cells including a diffusion media layer having a selective localization barrier that prevents hydrogen and oxygen from combining and reacting at the outer edges of the catalyst layer thereby creating membrane breakdown. Background technique [0002] Hydrogen is an attractive fuel because it is clean and can be used in fuel cells to efficiently generate electricity. In the development of hydrogen fuel cells as a vehicle energy source, the automotive industry consumes a large amount of energy. Such vehicles would be more efficient and produce fewer emissions than today's vehicles using internal combustion engines. [0003] A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that includes an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte therebetween. The anode receives hydrogen and the cathode receives oxygen or air. Hydrogen is decomposed at the anode under the action of a ca...

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Problems solved by technology

The barrier thus prevents air and hydrogen from reacting at the outer edge of the catalyst layer

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