Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an MEA which improves water retention properties of an electrode catalyst layer without inhibiting diffusion of a reaction gas and drainage of water produced by an electrode reaction etc. One aspect of the present invention is a manufacturing method of an MEA which includes coating and drying a catalyst ink to form a first electrode catalyst sub-layer, coating and drying a catalyst ink to form a second electrode catalyst sub-layer, and forming the first and the second electrode catalyst sub-layers on a polymer electrolyte membrane in this order, and has a specific feature that a solvent removal rate in drying to form the first electrode catalyst sub-layer is higher than that in drying to form the second electrode catalyst sub-layer.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) has an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. At least one of the anode electrode, the cathode electrode and the membrane is formed of electrospun nanofibers.

Abstract: By stacking a gas diffusion layer, which comprises a first conductive layer comprising a specific conductive carbon material and a specific polymer, on a catalyst layer in such a manner that the first conductive layer is in contact with the catalyst layer and the polymer in the first conductive layer is present with a higher density at the surface of the layer in contact with the catalyst layer than at the surface not in contact with the catalyst layer, a membrane-electrode assembly having a strong adhesion between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer can be provided. A fuel cell membrane-electrode assembly that reduces the position gap between a catalyst layer and a conductive porous layer, and between a conductive porous layer and a conductive porous substrate can be provided by using a gas diffusion layer that further comprises a second conductive layer formed on the first conductive layer.

Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but unfortunately can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal. Use of a carbon sublayer in such cells can improve the tolerance to voltage reversal, but can adversely affect cell performance. However, employing an appropriate selection of selectively conducting material and carbon sublayer, in which the carbon sublayer is in contact with the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte, can provide for cells that exhibit acceptable behaviour in every regard. A suitable selectively conducting material comprises platinum deposited on tin oxide.

Abstract: A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer comprises a gas diffusion substrate having a first surface and a second surface formed opposite to the first surface; and a microporous layer containing a conductive powder and disposed on the first surface of the gas diffusion substrate and in the gas diffusion substrate, wherein the microporous layer is continuous in a thickness direction of the gas diffusion substrate, an amount of the microporous layer on a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction is maximum at a first cross-sectional position in the thickness direction and decreases from the first cross-sectional position toward the second surface, an amount of the microporous layer included in a region on the first surface side of a central position of the gas diffusion substrate in the thickness direction is 80% or more of an amount of the entire microporous layer, and the microporous layer extends to the second surface.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode, and an anode. The surface size of a cathode side electrode catalyst layer of the cathode is smaller than the surface size of an anode side electrode catalyst layer of the anode. An inner end of a gas impermeable film provided around the anode side electrode catalyst layer and an outer end of a cathode side electrode catalyst layer are overlapped with each other on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metal catalyst includes a proton conductive material coating layer formed on the surface of a conductive material. Also, an electrode may be prepared using the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the metal catalyst comprises mixing the conductive catalyst material, the proton conductive material, and a first solvent, casting the mixture onto a supporting layer and drying the mixture to form a conductive catalyst containing film. The method further comprises separating the conductive catalyst containing film from the supporting layer and pulverizing the conductive catalyst containing film to obtain the metal catalyst. The method for preparing the electrode comprises mixing the metal catalyst with a hydrophobic binder and a second solvent, coating the mixture on an electrode support, and drying it.

Abstract: An innovative fuel cell system with MEAs includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) made of porous metal foam, and a catalyst layer. A fuel cell has a metal foam layer that improves efficiency and lifetime of the conventional gas diffusion layer, which consists of both gas diffusion barrier (GDB) and microporous layer (MPL). This metal foam GDL enables consistent maintenance of the suitable structure and even distribution of pores during the operation. Due to the combination of mechanical and physical properties of metallic foam, the fuel cell is not deformed by external physical strain. Among many other processing methods of open-cell metal foams, ice-templating provides a cheap, easy processing route suitable for mass production. Furthermore, it provides well-aligned and long channel pores, which improve gas and water flow during the operation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes an electrically conductive plate having a first surface defining a plurality of channels. An active area section and an inactive area section characterize the flow field channels. A hydrophobic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the inactive area section while a hydrophilic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area section.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fuel cell electrode catalyst by preparing a platinum-carbon core-shell composite, which has a platinum nanoparticle core and a graphene carbon shell, using a simultaneous evaporation process, a method for preparing a fuel cell electrode comprising the catalyst prepared thereby, and a fuel cell comprising the same. A fuel cell comprising an electrode catalyst consisting of the core-shell composite prepared by simultaneously evaporating the platinum precursor and the organic precursor can have high performance and high durability, because the platinum particles are not agglomerated or detached and corroded even under severe conditions, including high-temperature, long use term, acidic and alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst-coated ion-conducting membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) for electrochemical devices, in particular for fuel cells. The catalyst-coated, ion-conducting membrane is provided with a sealing material which is applied in the edge region to one side of the membrane and has a thickness which corresponds to at least the total thickness of the catalyst-coated membrane. Owing to their simple, material-conserving construction, the catalyst-coated ion-conducting membranes and the membrane-electrode assemblies produced therefrom can be manufactured inexpensively. They are used in PEM fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), electrolysers and other electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic porous body for a fuel cell, which includes a flat portion formed to be integrated with a gasket or a separator and a gasket, and thus the metallic porous body has improved handling and working properties and can be accurately and precisely stacked, thus improving the stability of cell performance, the air-tightness, and the productivity of a fuel cell stack. As such, the present invention provides a metallic porous body for a fuel cell including a porous portion, which is in contact with a reactive area of a membrane electrode assembly and corresponds to a reactive area of each unit cell, and a flat portion having a flat surface structure formed along outer edges of the metallic porous body other than the porous portion corresponding to the reactive area.

Abstract: The reactant distribution in a gas diffusion layer adjacent the landings of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be improved by using a flow field plate in which suitable sequential protrusions have been incorporated in the channels. The reactant flow field in the plate comprises a plurality of parallel channels in which protrusions are arranged in a sequence along each channel's length and the sequential protrusions in any given channel are offset with respect to the sequential protrusions in the channels immediately adjacent thereto.

Abstract: This gas diffusion layer for a PEMFC includes at least one hydrophilic electronically-conductive thread, advantageously formed of a carbon thread, of an electronically conductive hydrophilic material thread, or of a polymer thread loaded with electronically-conductive particles.

Abstract: A fuel cell with multiple independent reaction regions comprises multiple fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit comprises bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly located between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a proton exchange membrane and catalyst layers located at both sides of the proton exchange membrane, and the catalyst layers at least at one side of the proton exchange membrane are formed with multiple mutually independent catalyst sublayers. Different from the prior design concepts of striving to distribute reactants as uniformly as possible in the whole reaction area, the whole cell in this invention is divided into multiple independent reaction regions, and relevance of the reaction regions is eliminated. Therefore, by partitioning and reducing the amplitude of possible voltage difference, this invention is able to reduce electrochemical corrosion and maximize performance of each independent region and the whole fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided that includes a cell structure, a pair of separators and a plurality of at least partially porous ribs. The cell structure includes an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte membrane, the anode and the cathode being laminated on opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane, respectively. The separators are disposed on both surfaces of the cell structure with gas passages being defined by the separators and the cell structure for circulating two types of gas for power generation. The porous ribs porous ribs are disposed successively on an entire cross-section of the gas passage in a transverse direction with a flow direction of the gas for power generation.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane-electrode assembly, passageways provided on both sides of the membrane-electrode assembly, and fluid-permeable members provided between the membrane-electrode assembly and the passageways. Thermal resistance of the fluid-permeable member on an anode side is lower than that of the fluid-permeable member on a cathode side. In this case, heat flux at the anode side fluid-permeable member is increased, and heat flux at the cathode side fluid-permeable member is decreased.

Abstract: A catalyst coated membrane (CCM) for an alkaline fuel cell having OH-ion conducting catalyst layers and a membrane, wherein the ionomer throughout the entire CCM is cross-linked in one chemical step including cross-linking within the membrane and within the catalyst layers, thus enabling simultaneous chemical bonding across the interfaces between the catalyst layers and the ion conducting membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a fuel cell which is provided with a membrane electrode assembly (50), an anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54); and a method for manufacturing the cell. The degree of processing for suppressing protrusion of carbon fibers in the anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) and the degree of processing for suppressing protrusion of carbon fibers in the cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54) are set to be different from each other. Specifically, protrusion from the anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) is sufficiently suppressed, thereby being prevented from damaging the membrane electrode assembly (50). Meanwhile, the degree of suppression processing of the cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54) is set low, thereby securing drainage of generated water.

Abstract: A sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assembly is disclosed. Encapsulation films, each comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer, are positioned on the edges of at least one face of each gas diffusion substrate such that the adhesive layers impregnate into each gas diffusion substrate. Methods of forming sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode ink containing nanostructured catalyst elements is described. The method comprises providing an electrocatalyst decal comprising a carrying substrate having a nanostructured thin catalytic layer thereon, the nanostructure thin catalytic layer comprising nanostructured catalyst elements; providing a transfer substrate with an adhesive thereon; transferring the nanostructured thin catalytic layer from the carrying substrate to the transfer substrate; removing the nanostructured catalyst elements from the transfer substrate; providing an electrode ink solvent; and dispersing the nanostructured catalyst elements in the electrode ink solvent. Electrode inks, coated substrates, and membrane electrode assemblies made from the method are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible fuel cell, including: (i) an anode comprising an anode end plate structure made of a polymer material and provided with a hydrogen flow channel and a collector made of a metal layer deposited on the anode end plate structure; (ii) a cathode comprising a cathode end plate structure made of a polymer material and provided with an air flow channel having air holes and a collector formed of a metal layer deposited on the cathode end plate structure; and (iii) a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane whose surface is coated with a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) provided on at least one side thereof, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is interposed and pressed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A diffusion layer structure of a fuel cell includes a diffusion layer and a microporous layer. P1/P2 is in a range of 2 to 15 where “P1” is defined as an actual measurement value of pressure drop caused when air penetrates through the diffusion layer having a penetration area of 1.86 cm2 at a flow rate of 2 L/min and where “P2” is defined as a theoretical value of pressure drop defined by formula (1). P2=thickness×10?7×(1?porosity)2/(mean flow pore size2×porosity3)??formula (1) where “thickness” indicates a thickness (?m) of the diffusion layer, “porosity” indicates a porosity (%) of the diffusion layer, and “mean flow pore size” indicates a mean flow pore size (?m) of the diffusion layer.

Abstract: In forming a fuel cell stack by stacking a plurality of fuel cell units, in order to provide a fuel cell in which the fuel cell stack can be stably bound, the supply of fuel and conduction of respective cells can be surely performed, and stable power generation is possible, the fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack 2 formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell units 3 having a fuel electrode 33 and an oxidizer electrode 43. The oxidizer electrode has, in a plane orthogonal to a stacking direction of the fuel cell units, an elastic member (an oxidizer electrode diffusion layer) 41 that is arranged in parallel to a rigid supporting member 14 and has electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of corrugated fuel cell units from a composite laminate comprising an ion conductive membrane having first and second surface; a first electrocatalyst layer in contact with the first surface of the membrane; a second electrocatalyst layer in contact with the second surface of the membrane; a first metallic mesh in contact with said first electrocatalyst layer and a second metallic mesh in contact with said second electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for direct amination of hydrocarbons to amino hydrocarbons, comprising (a) the reaction of a reactant stream E comprising at least one hydrocarbon and at least one aminating reagent to give a reaction mixture R comprising at least one amino hydrocarbon and hydrogen in a reaction zone RZ, and (b) electrochemical removal of at least a portion of the hydrogen formed in the reaction from the reaction mixture R by means of at least one gas-tight membrane electrode assembly which is in contact with the reaction zone RZ on the retentate side and which has at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane, at least a portion of the hydrogen being oxidized over an anode catalyst to protons on the retentate side of the membrane, and the protons, after passing through the membrane, being partly or fully reacted with an oxidizing agent over a cathode catalyst to give water on the permeate side, and the oxidizing agent originating from a stream O which is contacted with the

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a separator. The separator includes a water accumulation portion including at least one of a buffer portion, a lowermost channel groove, a channel junction portion, and a bypass channel. The buffer portion is connected to a reactant gas channel through which a reactant gas is to flow along a power generation surface of the membrane electrode assembly. The channel groove is provided in the reactant gas channel and located at a lowest position in the reactant gas channel in a direction of gravity when the membrane electrode assembly and the separator are in an upright position. Channel grooves of the reactant gas channel are joined in the channel junction portion. The membrane electrode assembly includes a water impermeable layer which is disposed outside of a power generation region and which faces the water accumulation portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes membrane electrode assemblies disposed in a planar arrangement. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer disposed counter to the cathode catalyst via the electrolyte membrane. Interconnectors (conductive members) are provided on the lateral faces of the electrolyte membranes disposed counter to each another in the neighboring direction of the membrane electrode assemblies. Each interconnector includes a support portion protruding toward the central region of the electrolyte member on the cathode side of the electrolyte membrane. The support portion is in contact with the cathode-side surface of an edge of the electrolyte membrane, and the electrolyte membrane is held by the support portion.

Abstract: A UEA for a fuel cell having an active region and a feed region is provided. The UEA includes an electrolyte membrane disposed between a pair of electrodes. The electrolyte membrane and the pair of electrodes is further disposed between a pair of DM. The electrolyte membrane, the pair of electrodes, and the DM are configured to be disposed at the active region of the fuel cell. A barrier film coupled to the electrolyte membrane is configured to be disposed at the feed region of the fuel cell. The dimensions of the electrolyte membrane are thereby optimized. A fuel cell having the UEA, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells, is also provided.

Abstract: Polysulfone based polymer comprising a repeat unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 is provided: wherein, X, M1, M2, a, b, c, d, e, f, R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are as defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a cathode gas diffusion layer, a cathode catalyst layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode catalyst layer and an electrolyte. The diffusion resistance of the anode gas diffusion layer when operated with anode fuel is higher than the diffusion resistance of the cathode gas diffusion layer. The anode gas diffusion layer may comprise filler particles having in-plane platelet geometries and be made of lower cost materials and manufacturing processes than currently available commercial carbon fiber substrates. The diffusion resistance difference between the anode gas diffusion layer and the cathode gas diffusion layer may allow for passive water balance control.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical device having an alkaline electrolyte disposed between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, where the anode electrode and/or the cathode electrode is provided with a CO2 inhibitor which substantially eliminates poisoning of the device by CO2. The device may be an alkaline fuel cell or an alkaline battery. In one embodiment, the electrolyte is an anion exchange polymeric alkaline electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: An electrical conductive member (20) includes a metal substrate (21), an intermediate layer (23) formed on the metal substrate (21), and an electrical conductive layer (25) formed on the intermediate layer (23). The intermediate layer (23) contains a constituent of the metal substrate (21), a constituent of the electrical conductive layer (25), and a crystallization inhibiting component that inhibits crystallization in the intermediate layer (23). According to this configuration, the electrical conductive member having excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of electrochemical cells, in particular individual cells for fuel cells and stacks, in which the individual components of a membrane electrode assembly are compressed and bonded by use of ultrasonic waves and the absence of any further additional heating. The method according to the invention allows faster cycles during the lamination of the membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte fuel cell comprises a solid electrolyte body having a fuel electrode contacting a fuel gas and an air electrode contacting air. A plurality of the solid electrolyte fuel cells are stacked to form a solid electrolyte fuel cell stack, in which the stacked body of the solid electrolyte fuel cells is pressed in the stacked direction and fixed by a fixing member inserted into a through-hole passing through the stacked body in the stacked direction. Inside the through-hole, there is equipped an inner gas channel for supplying the gas to the solid electrolyte fuel cell side or evacuating the gas from the solid electrolyte fuel cell side.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules has a first membrane electrode assembly and a second membrane electrode assembly respectively having an electrolyte membrane and being arranged, such that respective first electrodes are opposed to each other. The fuel cell module also has a first reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a first reactive gas to the first electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, a second reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a second reactive gas to the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, and a coolant flow path arranged to cool down the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A fuel electrode for a solid oxide electrochemical cell includes: an electrode layer constituted of a mixed phase including an oxide having mixed conductivity and another oxide selected from the group including an aluminum-based oxide and a magnesium-based composite oxide, said another oxide having, supported on a surface part thereof, particles of at least one member selected from nickel, cobalt, and nickel-cobalt alloys.

Abstract: A redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a catholyte solution comprising a modified ferrocene species being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode.

Abstract: A resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin frame member. The membrane electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode. The resin frame member is provided around the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The resin frame member includes an inner extension protruding toward the outer periphery of the cathode to contact the outer end of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The inner extension of the resin frame member includes a plurality of columnar projections formed integrally with an adhesive surface where an adhesive layer is provided.

Abstract: A sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer that has a crosslinking structure in a chain of a polymer, a sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer that has a crosslinking structure in and at an end of a chain of a polymer, and a polymer electrolyte film that is formed by using them are disclosed. According to the polycondensation reaction of the sulfonated dihydroxy monomer (HO—SAr1-OH), the none sulfonated dihydroxy monomer (HO—Ar—OH), the crosslinkable dihalide monomer (X—CM-X) and the none sulfonated dihalide monomer (X—Ar—X), the poly(arylene ether) copolymer in which the sulfonic acid is included is synthesized. The formed poly(arylene ether) copolymer has the crosslinkable structure in the chain of the polymer. In addition, by carrying out the polycondensation reaction in respects to the crosslinkable monohydroxy monomer or the crosslinkable monohalide monomer, the crosslinking can be formed at the end of the polymer.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane/electrode structure constituting a fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The anode side electrode is provided with an electrode catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer abutting on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and exposing the outer circumference thereof in the shape of a frame, and the cathode side electrode is provided with an electrode catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer abutting on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. A reinforcing sheet member is arranged on the frame-shaped surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane projecting from the outer circumference of the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: There is provided a technique of preventing degradation of an electrolyte membrane included in a fuel cell. A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly is provided as a power generation device where electrodes are arranged on both sides of an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity. Each of the electrodes has a layered structure of stacking a catalyst layer arranged to support a catalyst and a gas diffusion layer arranged to spread a reactive gas over the entire electrode plane. The outer peripheral edge of the gas diffusion layer is located inward of the outer peripheral edge of the catalyst layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane electrode assembly for a direct oxidation fuel cell, including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween. The anode includes an anode catalyst layer disposed on one principal surface of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode diffusion layer laminated on the anode catalyst layer. The anode catalyst layer includes a first particulate conductive carbon, an anode catalyst supported thereon, and a first polymer electrolyte. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst layer disposed on the other principal surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode diffusion layer laminated on the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer includes a second particulate conductive carbon, a cathode catalyst supported thereon, and a second polymer electrolyte. The weight ratio M1 of the first polymer electrolyte in the anode catalyst layer is higher than the weight ratio M2 of the second polymer electrolyte in the cathode catalyst layer.

Abstract: An example fuel cell stack (10, 40) includes a cathode plate (60) having oxidant flow passages (62) and coolant flow passages (64), and a porous anode plate (42) adjacent the coolant flow passages (64). The porous anode plate (42) includes fuel flow passages (46) and a network of pores (44) that fluidly connect the fuel flow passages (46) and the coolant flow passages (64). A membrane electrode arrangement (50) adjacent the fuel flow passages (46) generates electricity in a fuel cell reaction. A hydrophilic gas diffusion layer (48) between the membrane electrode arrangement (50) and the porous anode plate (42) distributes water from the coolant flow passages (64) to maintain or establish a wet seal (70) within the network of pores (44) that limits fuel transport through the network of pores (44) from the fuel flow passages (46) to the coolant flow passages (64).