Abstract: A manufacturing process includes: depositing a catalyst support on a gas diffusion layer to form a catalyst support-coated gas diffusion layer; depositing a catalyst on the catalyst support-coated gas diffusion layer to form a catalyst-coated gas diffusion layer; and depositing an ionomer on the catalyst-coated gas diffusion layer to form an ionomer-coated gas diffusion layer. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes: a gas diffusion layer; a polymer electrolyte membrane; and a catalyst layer disposed between the gas diffusion layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the catalyst layer includes an ionomer, and a concentration of the ionomer varies within the catalyst layer according to a concentration profile.

Abstract: A layered structure for a fuel cell comprises a carbon-based catalyst-free gas diffusion layer substrate and a carbon-based microporous layer, which is joined to the gas diffusion layer substrate and comprises a plurality of carbon carriers or carbon fibers embedded into an ion-conducting polymer binder mixture. The polymer binder mixture comprises a sulfur-free binding polymer and a sulfonated polymer, and a fraction of the binding polymer at or near a surface of the microporous layer facing away from the gas diffusion layer substrate is less than or equal to a fraction of the sulfonated polymer. A method for producing a layered structure of this type is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the production of an electrode for a fuel cell is provided that comprises providing a multitude of catalyst particles carried on at least one electrically conductive particle carrier, and depositing one or more atomic or molecular layers of an ionomer from the gas phase on the catalyst particles and/or the at least one particle carrier, thereby forming a proton-conducting ionomer coating. Furthermore, an electrode for a fuel cell is also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst structure includes: (1) a substrate; (2) a catalyst layer on the substrate; and (3) an adhesion layer disposed between the substrate and the catalyst layer. In some implementations, an average thickness of the adhesion layer is about 1 nm or less. In some implementations, a material of the catalyst layer at least partially extends into a region of the adhesion layer. In some implementations, the catalyst layer is characterized by a lattice strain imparted by the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A catalyst structure includes: (1) a substrate; (2) a catalyst layer on the substrate; and (3) an adhesion layer disposed between the substrate and the catalyst layer. In some implementations, an average thickness of the adhesion layer is about 1 nm or less. In some implementations, a material of the catalyst layer at least partially extends into a region of the adhesion layer. In some implementations, the catalyst layer is characterized by a lattice strain imparted by the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A method for production of a fuel cell includes: a) Preparing a plurality of catalyst pastes which differ from each other at least in regard to one parameter influencing the catalytic activity, b) Filling of at least two of the plurality of catalyst pastes into a first application means having a number of chambers corresponding to the number of catalyst pastes being filled, where only one of the catalyst pastes is filled into each of the chambers, c) Filling of at least two of the plurality of catalyst pastes into a second application means having a number of chambers corresponding to the number of catalyst pastes being filled, where only one of the catalyst pastes is filled into each of the chambers, d) Coating of a first side of a foil web of an electrolyte membrane which is moved past the first application means and the second application means by means of the first application means, e) Coating of a second side of the foil web by means of the second application means, f) Cutting of the resulting coated el

Abstract: A manufacturing process includes: depositing a first catalyst on a first gas diffusion layer (GDL) to form a first catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a first ionomer on the first catalyst-coated GDL to form a first gas diffusion electrode (GDE); depositing a second catalyst on a second GDL to form a second catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a second ionomer on the second catalyst-coated GDL to form a second GDE; and laminating the first GDE with the second GDE and with an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDE and the second GDE to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). A MEA includes a first GDL; a second GDL; an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDL and the second GDL; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first GDL and the electrolyte membrane; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second GDL and the electrolyte membrane, wherein a thickness of the electrolyte membrane is about 15 ?m or less.

Abstract: A catalyst structure includes: (1) a substrate; (2) a catalyst layer on the substrate; and (3) an adhesion layer disposed between the substrate and the catalyst layer. In some implementations, an average thickness of the adhesion layer is about 1 nm or less. In some implementations, a material of the catalyst layer at least partially extends into a region of the adhesion layer. In some implementations, the catalyst layer is characterized by a lattice strain imparted by the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing process includes: depositing a first catalyst on a first gas diffusion layer (GDL) to form a first catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a first ionomer on the first catalyst-coated GDL to form a first gas diffusion electrode (GDE); depositing a second catalyst on a second GDL to form a second catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a second ionomer on the second catalyst-coated GDL to form a second GDE; and laminating the first GDE with the second GDE and with an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDE and the second GDE to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). A MEA includes a first GDL; a second GDL; an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDL and the second GDL; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first GDL and the electrolyte membrane; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second GDL and the electrolyte membrane, wherein a thickness of the electrolyte membrane is about 15 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method for the production of an electrode for a fuel cell is provided that comprises providing a multitude of catalyst particles carried on at least one electrically conductive particle carrier, and depositing one or more atomic or molecular layers of an ionomer from the gas phase on the catalyst particles and/or the at least one particle carrier, thereby forming a proton-conducting ionomer coating. Furthermore, an electrode for a fuel cell is also provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing cell degradation in a fuel cell system includes adding oxygen-containing gas to a fuel in the anode chamber to prevent an increase in a cell voltage above a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: A method for producing a noble metal-free catalyst comprises providing a catalyst support comprising organic heterocycles as catalyst, and applying an oxidation-inhibiting protective layer. Embodiments further relate to a noble metal-free catalyst, a fuel cell, and a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for determining the cathode gas quality of a fuel cell system has a fuel cell stack, with a diagnostic fuel cell which can be connected at the cathode side to a cathode supply line and at the anode side to an anode supply line of the fuel cell system. The diagnostic system furthermore comprises a detection unit which is configured to detect a measured value or the measured value time curve of the diagnostic fuel cell operating with the cathode gas provided via the cathode supply line and with the anode gas provided via the anode supply line. The present disclosure moreover relates to a fuel cell system having a diagnostic system, and to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A manufacturing process includes: depositing a catalyst support on a gas diffusion layer to form a catalyst support-coated gas diffusion layer; depositing a catalyst on the catalyst support-coated gas diffusion layer to form a catalyst-coated gas diffusion layer; and depositing an ionomer on the catalyst-coated gas diffusion layer to form an ionomer-coated gas diffusion layer. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes: a gas diffusion layer; a polymer electrolyte membrane; and a catalyst layer disposed between the gas diffusion layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the catalyst layer includes an ionomer, and a concentration of the ionomer varies within the catalyst layer according to a concentration profile.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided comprising a plurality of fuel cells comprising a membrane electrode assembly and at least one gas diffusion layer, which fuel cells are divided into at least one first fuel cell segment having a portion of the plurality of fuel cells and a second fuel cell segment having a different portion of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the first fuel cell segment and the second fuel cell segment are arranged in a common fuel cell cascade, wherein the first fuel cell segment comprises a first collector inlet line for an operating medium and a first collector outlet lined which is formed integrally with a second collector inlet line of the second fuel cell segment and wherein the second fuel cell segment comprises a second collector outlet line. The membrane electrode assemblies and/or the gas diffusion layers inside the second fuel cell segment are designed in such a way that they are more water-repellent than those of the first fuel cell segment.

Abstract: A method for producing a noble metal-free catalyst comprises providing a catalyst support comprising organic heterocycles as catalyst, and applying an oxidation-inhibiting protective layer. Embodiments further relate to a noble metal-free catalyst, a fuel cell, and a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A layered structure for a fuel cell comprises a carbon-based catalyst-free gas diffusion layer substrate and a carbon-based microporous layer, which is joined to the gas diffusion layer substrate and comprises a plurality of carbon carriers or carbon fibers embedded into an ion-conducting polymer binder mixture. The polymer binder mixture comprises a sulfur-free binding polymer and a sulfonated polymer, and a fraction of the binding polymer at or near a surface of the microporous layer facing away from the gas diffusion layer substrate is less than or equal to a fraction of the sulfonated polymer. A method for producing a layered structure of this type is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided comprising a plurality of fuel cells comprising a membrane electrode assembly and at least one gas diffusion layer, which fuel cells are divided into at least one first fuel cell segment having a portion of the plurality of fuel cells and a second fuel cell segment having a different portion of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the first fuel cell segment and the second fuel cell segment are arranged in a common fuel cell cascade, wherein the first fuel cell segment comprises a first collector inlet line for an operating medium and a first collector outlet lined which is formed integrally with a second collector inlet line of the second fuel cell segment and wherein the second fuel cell segment comprises a second collector outlet line. The membrane electrode assemblies and/or the gas diffusion layers inside the second fuel cell segment are designed in such a way that they are more water-repellent than those of the first fuel cell segment.

Abstract: A manufacturing process includes: depositing a first catalyst on a first gas diffusion layer (GDL) to form a first catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a first ionomer on the first catalyst-coated GDL to form a first gas diffusion electrode (GDE); depositing a second catalyst on a second GDL to form a second catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a second ionomer on the second catalyst-coated GDL to form a second GDE; and laminating the first GDE with the second GDE and with an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDE and the second GDE to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). A MEA includes a first GDL; a second GDL; an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDL and the second GDL; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first GDL and the electrolyte membrane; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second GDL and the electrolyte membrane, wherein a thickness of the electrolyte membrane is about 15 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method for reducing cell degradation in a fuel cell system includes adding oxygen-containing gas to a fuel in the anode chamber to prevent an increase in a cell voltage above a predetermined maximum value.