Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including: an anode electrode; a cathode electrode; and a polymer electrolyte membrane; wherein the cathode includes a first cathode catalyst sublayer including a first precious metal catalyst composition and a first ionomer composition including a first ionomer and a second ionomer; and a second cathode catalyst sublayer including a second precious metal catalyst composition and a second ionomer composition including a third ionomer; wherein the first ionomer is different from the second ionomer in at least one of chemical structure and equivalent weight.

Abstract: A battery cathode, a composition for a catalyst layer of a battery cathode, and a battery, each achieves excellent performance while using a non-platinum catalyst. The battery cathode includes a catalyst layer, wherein the catalyst layer contains a non-platinum catalyst, has a thickness of 15 ?m or more, and has a conductance per 1 cm2 of an electrode area of more than 100 S and less than 350 S.

Abstract: A method for improving the performance and/or stability of non-precious metal catalysts in fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Improved membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and fuel cells containing the same are provided. Such MEAs include a catalyst layer made up of at least two sub-layers containing ionomers of differing equivalent weights. The sub-layers may optionally contain mixtures of ionomers. Also provided are methods of making and using the described devices.

Abstract: A catalytic composition for producing a fuel cell electrode comprises a catalytically active material in particulate form, for example platinum, a carbon nanomaterial which is coated with a first ionomer, as well as a binding agent composition in which the catalytically active material and the coated carbon nanomaterial are present in dispersed form, wherein the binding agent composition comprises a second ionomer and the first and second ionomers are the same or different. The composition is used to produce a catalytic layer of a fuel cell electrode for a fuel cell.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, with a membrane, a catalyst layer (16) and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer (16) has a first side facing the membrane and a second side facing the gas diffusion layer. In the catalyst layer (16) an ionomer content increases towards the membrane. The catalyst layer (16) has a first sublayer (22) in which catalyst particles (26) are coated with a first ionomer (28). The catalyst layer (16) further has a second sublayer (24) with a second ionomer (32) which is closer to the membrane than the first sublayer (22). Pores (30) are present at least between the coated catalyst particles (26). Further, a method for preparing such a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel cell system and a vehicle with a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including: an anode electrode; a cathode electrode; and a polymer electrolyte membrane; wherein the cathode includes a first cathode catalyst sublayer including a first precious metal catalyst composition and a first ionomer composition including a first ionomer and a second ionomer; and a second cathode catalyst sublayer including a second precious metal catalyst composition and a second ionomer composition including a third ionomer; wherein the first ionomer is different from the second ionomer in at least one of chemical structure and equivalent weight.

Abstract: A battery cathode, a composition for a catalyst layer of a battery cathode, and a battery, each achieves excellent performance while using a non-platinum catalyst. The battery cathode includes a catalyst layer, wherein the catalyst layer contains a non-platinum catalyst, has a thickness of 15 ?m or more, and has a conductance per 1 cm2 of an electrode area of more than 100 S and less than 350 S.

Abstract: A method for improving the performance and/or stability of non-precious metal catalysts in fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Improved membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and fuel cells containing the same are provided. Such MEAs include a catalyst layer made up of at least two sub-layers containing ionomers of differing equivalent weights. The sub-layers may optionally contain mixtures of ionomers. Also provided are methods of making and using the described devices.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode electrode comprising an anode gas diffusion layer and an anode catalyst layer; a cathode electrode comprising a cathode gas diffusion layer and a cathode catalyst layer; and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer; wherein the cathode catalyst layer comprises: a first cathode catalyst sublayer adjacent the polymer electrolyte membrane, the first cathode catalyst sublayer comprising a first catalyst supported on a first carbonaceous support and a second catalyst supported on a second carbonaceous support; and a second cathode catalyst sublayer adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer, the second cathode catalyst sublayer comprising a third catalyst supported on a third carbonaceous support; wherein the first carbonaceous support is carbon black and the second and third carbonaceous supports are graphitized carbon.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode electrode comprising an anode gas diffusion layer and an anode catalyst layer; a cathode electrode comprising a cathode gas diffusion layer and a cathode catalyst layer; and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer; wherein the cathode catalyst layer comprises: a first cathode catalyst sublayer adjacent the polymer electrolyte membrane, the first cathode catalyst sublayer comprising a first catalyst supported on a first carbonaceous support and a second catalyst supported on a second carbonaceous support; and a second cathode catalyst sublayer adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer, the second cathode catalyst sublayer comprising a third catalyst supported on a third carbonaceous support; wherein the first carbonaceous support is carbon black and the second and third carbonaceous supports are graphitized carbon.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, with a membrane, a catalyst layer (16) and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer (16) has a first side facing the membrane and a second side facing the gas diffusion layer. In the catalyst layer (16) an ionomer content increases towards the membrane. The catalyst layer (16) has a first sublayer (22) in which catalyst particles (26) are coated with a first ionomer (28). The catalyst layer (16) further has a second sublayer (24) with a second ionomer (32) which is closer to the membrane than the first sublayer (22). Pores (30) are present at least between the coated catalyst particles (26). Further, a method for preparing such a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel cell system and a vehicle with a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly may be made using a one-sided catalyst coated membrane (CCM) wherein only one catalyst layer, either the anode or the cathode, is coated directly on the ion-exchange membrane. In particular, a one-sided CCM may be used where it may not be practicable to coat both sides of the ion-exchange membrane with catalyst layers such as when PTFE is added to the anode catalyst layer to render it reversal tolerant.

Abstract: In preparing a fluid diffusion electrode, typical methods include applying a catalyst ink to a fluid diffusion layer, drying the catalyst ink and hot-pressing the coated fluid diffusion layer to produce a fluid diffusion electrode. In the present application, unexpected improvements in the smoothness of the resulting electrode have been observed by drying the catalyst ink during compaction. To assist with drying the catalyst layer, the compacting step may be performed at elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, a release sheet may be applied to the catalyst layer prior to compaction. In addition or alternatively, partial drying of the catalyst layer may occur prior to compaction.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly may be made using a one-sided catalyst coated membrane (CCM) wherein only one catalyst layer, either the anode or the cathode, is coated directly on the ion-exchange membrane. In particular, a one-sided CCM may be used where it may not be practicable to coat both sides of the ion-exchange membrane with catalyst layers such as when PTFE is added to the anode catalyst layer to render it reversal tolerant.

Abstract: Solid polymer fuel cells can operate directly on a fuel comprising a mixture of dimethoxymethane and methanol with both dimethoxymethane and methanol being oxidized at the fuel cell anode. Both being highly soluble in water, a dimethoxymethane and methanol mixture can be supplied as a liquid aqueous fuel solution. As a fuel, a dimethoxymethane and methanol mixture can provide similar power characteristics as methanol in liquid feed solid polymer fuel cells and is found to outperform methanol at high current densities. Additionally, dimethoxymethane acts as a reactive antifreeze additive in the fuel mixture and imparts a strong and distinct odor to the fuel mixture.