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 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: 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: An electrode comprises a first catalytic component active at gas-phase reaction sites and a second catalytic component active at electrochemical reaction sites wherein each catalytic component is present either as a separate layer, or a single mixed layer or a combination of a separate layer and a single mixed layer. The electrode has an improved tolerance to poisons such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst material for use in an acid electrolyte environment, comprising platinum or a platinum alloy supported on a conductive support, and gold, gives unexpectedly improved performance over similar electrocatalysts without gold.

Abstract: A porous electrode suitable for use in a membrane electrode assembly for solid polymer fuel cells comprises a highly dispersed precious metal catalyst on particulate carbon impregnated with proton conducting polymer, and, a further component comprising hydrophobic polymer and a dispersion of particulate carbon, the loading of precious metal being 0.011-1.0 mg/cm.sup.2 of geometric electrode area. Said electrode demonstrates high effective platinum surface area and power density output when fabricated into a membrane electrode assembly.