Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrode assemblies, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The electrode and membrane-electrode assemblies include (i) a porous electrode having a first major surface with a first surface area, Ae, an opposed second major surface and a plurality of voids; (ii) a discontinuous transport protection layer, comprising polymer, disposed on the first major surface and having a cross-sectional area, Ap, substantially parallel to the first major surface; and (iii) an interfacial region wherein the interfacial region includes a portion of the polymer embedded in at least a portion of the plurality of voids, a portion of the porous electrode embedded in a portion of the polymer or a combination thereof; and wherein 0.02Ae?Ap?0.85Ae and the porous electrode and discontinuous transport protection layer form an integral structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies, electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrode assemblies. The porous electrodes include a porous electrode material comprising a polymer and an electrically conductive carbon particulate; and a solid film substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein the solid film substrate includes a plurality of through holes extending from the first major surface to the second major surface. The porous electrode material is disposed on at least the first major surface and within the plurality of through holes of the solid film substrate. The plurality of through holes with the porous electrode material provide electrical communication between the first major surface and the opposed second major surface of the porous electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies, electrode assemblies and electro-chemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrode assemblies. The porous electrodes include a porous electrode material comprising a non-electrically conductive, polymer particulate; and an electrically conductive carbon particulate; wherein the electrically conductive carbon particulate is at least one of carbon nanotubes and branched carbon nanotubes. The electrically conductive carbon particulate is adhered directly to the surface of the non-electrically conductive, polymer particulate and at least a portion of the non-electrically conductive polymer particulate surface is fused to form a unitary, porous electrode material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to membrane assemblies, electrode assemblies and membrane-electrode assemblies; and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making the membrane assemblies, electrode assemblies and membrane-electrode assemblies. The membrane assemblies includes an ion exchange membrane and at least one microporous protection layer. The electrode assemblies includes a porous electrode and a microporous protection layer. The membrane-electrode assembly includes an ion exchange membrane, at least one microporous protection layer and at least one porous electrode. The microporous protection layer includes a resin and at least one of an electrically conductive particulate and a non-electrically conductive particulate. The ratio of the weight of the resin to total weight of particulate is from about 1/99 to about 10/1. The resin may be at least one of an ionic resin and a non-ionic resin.

Abstract: Membrane electrode assembly comprising oxygen evolution reaction catalyst disposed in gas distribution layer (100, 700) or between gas distribution layer (100, 700 and gas dispersion layer (200, 600). Membrane electrode assemblies described herein are useful, for example, in electrochemical devices such as a fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) are provided which have nanostructured thin film (NSTF) catalyst electrodes and additionally a sublayer of dispersed catalyst situated between the NSTF catalyst and the PEM of the MEA.

Abstract: Gas permeable layers in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are provided which comprises a mixture of first and second types of carbon particles, which may provide relatively hydrophilic and relatively hydrophobic pathways. In some embodiments, the first type of carbon particle oxidizes at a lower rate than said second type of carbon particle. In some embodiments, the first type of carbon particle is graphitized and the second type of carbon particle is not graphitized.

Abstract: A method is provided for operation of a fuel cell with improved water management by maintaining reduced anode pressure relative to cathode pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, or both. Typically, the fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly comprising nanostructured thin film cathode catalyst.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are provided having multilayer cathodes, where a first layer of the cathode which is more proximate to the polymer electrolyte membrane is more hydrophilic than a second more distal layer of the cathode. In some embodiments, the first layer includes a polymer electrolyte having a lower equivalent weight than a polymer electrolyte included in the second layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.

Abstract: A method is provided for operation of a fuel cell with improved water management by maintaining reduced anode pressure relative to cathode pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, or both. Typically, the fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly comprising nanostructured thin film cathode catalyst.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.

Abstract: Gas permeable layers in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are provided which comprises a mixture of first and second types of carbon particles, which may provide relatively hydrophilic and relatively hydrophobic pathways. In some embodiments, the first type of carbon particle oxidizes at a lower rate than said second type of carbon particle. In some embodiments, the first type of carbon particle is graphitized and the second type of carbon particle is not graphitized.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) are provided which have nanostructured thin film (NSTF) catalyst electrodes and additionally a sublayer of dispersed catalyst situated between the NSTF catalyst and the PEM of the MEA.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are provided having multilayer cathodes, where a first layer of the cathode which is more proximate to the polymer electrolyte membrane is more hydrophilic than a second more distal layer of the cathode. In some embodiments, the first layer includes a polymer electrolyte having a lower equivalent weight than a polymer electrolyte included in the second layer.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide filter layer that can be used, for example, in an electrode unit, a fuel cell, and/or a fuel cell stack is disclosed.