Abstract: A voltage reversal tolerant fuel cell anode structure that includes a gas diffusion layer is prepared by a method that comprises: (a) applying to the gas diffusion layer a first carbon component comprising a sacrificial carbon component having substantially no resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures, and (b) applying to the gas diffusion layer a second carbon component. The first carbon material has a BET surface area of at least 350 m2g?1. The second carbon component supports an electrocatalyst material and has substantially more resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures than the first carbon component.

Abstract: In a solid polymer fuel cell series, various circumstances can result in a fuel cell being driven into voltage reversal. For instance, cell voltage reversal can occur if that cell receives an inadequate supply of fuel. In order to pass current, reactions other than fuel oxidation may take place at the fuel cell anode, including water electrolysis and oxidation of anode components. The latter may result in significant degradation of the anode, particularly if the anode employs a carbon black supported catalyst. Such fuel cells can be made more tolerant to cell reversal by using higher catalyst loading or coverage on the anode catalyst support or a more oxidation resistant anode catalyst support, such as a more graphitic carbon or Ti4O7.

Abstract: In a solid polymer fuel cell series, various circumstances can result in the fuel cell being driven into voltage reversal. For instance, cell voltage reversal can occur if that cell receives an inadequate supply of fuel (for example, fuel starvation). In order to pass current during fuel starvation, reactions other than fuel oxidation may take place at the fuel cell anode, including water electrolysis and oxidation of anode components. The latter may result in significant degradation of the anode. Such fuel cells can be made more tolerant to cell reversal by promoting water electrolysis over anode component oxidation at the anode. This can be accomplished by incorporating a catalyst composition at the anode to promote the water electrolysis reaction, in addition to the typical anode electrocatalyst for promoting fuel oxidation.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell anode structure comprises a substrate and a first carbon-based component. The first carbon-based component exhibits little or no resistance to corrosion. When said anode structure is incorporated into a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly is tolerant to incidences of cell voltage reversal.

Abstract: In a solid polymer fuel cell series, various circumstances can result in a fuel cell being driven into voltage reversal. For instance, cell voltage reversal can occur if that cell receives an inadequate supply of fuel. In order to pass current, reactions other than fuel oxidation may take place at the fuel cell anode, including water electrolysis and oxidation of anode components. The latter may result in significant degradation of the anode, particularly if the anode employs a carbon black supported catalyst. Such fuel cells can be made more tolerant to cell reversal by using higher catalyst loading or coverage on the anode catalyst support or a more oxidation resistant anode catalyst support, such as a more graphitic carbon or Ti4O7.

Abstract: In a solid polymer fuel cell series, various circumstances can result in a fuel cell being driven into voltage reversal by other cells in the series stack. For instance, cell voltage reversal can occur if that cell receives an inadequate supply of fuel (for example, fuel starvation). In order to pass current during fuel starvation, reactions other than fuel oxidation may take place at the fuel cell anode, including water electrolysis and oxidation of anode components. The latter may result in significant degradation of the anode. Such fuel cells can be made more tolerant to cell reversal by promoting water electrolysis over anode component oxidation at the anode. This can be accomplished by enhancing the presence of water in the anode catalyst layer through modifications to the anode structure or anode composition near or in the catalyst layer.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell anode structure comprises a substrate and a first carbon-based component. The first carbon-based component exhibits little or no resistance to corrosion. When said anode structure is incorporated into a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly is tolerant to incidences of cell voltage reversal.