Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell may include: a membrane-electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane, an anode electrode fastened to a first face of the proton exchange membrane, a first flow guide plate positioned facing the anode electrode and including at least one flow channel having a fuel inlet zone, a median flow zone and a fuel outlet zone. The anode electrode may have, at the fuel outlet zone, a tolerance to carbon monoxide pollution greater than its average tolerance to carbon monoxide pollution at the median flow zone and at the fuel inlet zone.

Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell may include: a membrane-electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane, an anode electrode fastened to a first face of the proton exchange membrane, a first flow guide plate positioned facing the anode electrode and including at least one flow channel having a fuel inlet zone, a median flow zone and a fuel outlet zone. The anode electrode may have, at the fuel outlet zone, a tolerance to carbon monoxide pollution greater than its average tolerance to carbon monoxide pollution at the median flow zone and at the fuel inlet zone.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a proton-exchange membrane, and a cathode and anode fixed on its opposite sides. The anode delimits a flow conduit between a molecular-oxygen inlet area and a water outlet area. The cathode includes a support for catalyst material. The support has first and second materials to which catalyst is fixed, the first material being a graphitized material. The second material has a resistance to corrosion by oxygen that is greater than that of the first material. A quantity of the second material at the inlet area is greater than a quantity of the second material at the water outlet. The cathode comprises a first layer including the first material and a second layer including the second material. A thickness of the second layer decreases between the molecular-oxygen inlet area and the water outlet area.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical system, such as a fuel cell, is formed by an active layer including: pores; at least one catalyst; at least one ionomer; and electrically-conductive particles. The catalyst content per pore ranges between 30 and 500 mg/cm3 with respect to the pore volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extending the lifetime of a PEMFC fuel cell that includes the step of supplying, at anode 3, a chemical compound capable of reacting with oxygen, but not originating from the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a proton-exchange membrane, and a cathode and anode fixed on its opposite sides. The anode delimits a flow conduit between a molecular-oxygen inlet area and a water outlet area. The cathode includes a support for catalyst material. The support has first and second materials to which catalyst is fixed, the first material being a graphitized material. The second material has a resistance to corrosion by oxygen that is greater than that of the first material. A quantity of the second material at the inlet area is greater than a quantity of the second material at the water outlet. The cathode comprises a first layer including the first material and a second layer including the second material. A thickness of the second layer decreases between the molecular-oxygen inlet area and the water outlet area.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a proton-exchange membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The anode and cathode are fixed on opposing sides of the proton-exchange membrane. The anode demarcates a flow conduit between a molecular-hydrogen inlet area and a molecular-hydrogen outlet area. A quantity of catalyst at the molecular-hydrogen outlet area is smaller than a quantity of catalyst at the molecular-hydrogen inlet area. The anode also has a thickness that decreases continuously between the molecular-hydrogen inlet and outlet areas.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical system, such as a fuel cell, is formed by an active layer including: pores; at least one catalyst; at least one ionomer; and electrically-conductive particles. The catalyst content per pore ranges between 30 and 500 mg/cm3 with respect to the pore volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extending the lifetime of a PEMFC fuel cell that includes the step of supplying, at anode 3, a chemical compound capable of reacting with oxygen, but not originating from the fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous structure, characterized in that it comprises a porous matrix (15) made of carbon fabric, said porous matrix being bounded on at least one of its faces (17, 21) by an impermeable layer (19, 23) made of an element chosen from carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes and glassy carbon, said impermeable layer being linked to the porous matrix via carbon-carbon bonds. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such porous structures. Application to the fields of fuel cells and heat exchangers.

Abstract: The manufacturing process can be used to obtain a basic element combining an electrolytic layer (11), two electrodes (12) and a seal (13) made of a single piece that can easily be integrated and is manageable.