Abstract: A gas diffusion layer with a micro protective layer is utilized in the electrochemical cells. The cell mainly includes end plates, current collectors, flow field plates, gas diffusion layers, catalyst layers, a proton exchange membrane and a circuit unit. When the cell functions as a fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to generate electricity and water. Reversely, when the cell functions as a water electrolysis cell, water was decomposed electrolytically to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. In this manner, the present invention particularly has the gas diffusion layer to be coated with a micro protective layer so as to prevent the gas diffusion layer from being corroded by active oxygen species generated within the oxygen electrode under the catalysis during water electrolysis operation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an anode for a fuel cell including: performing an acid treatment for a carbon-based compound; washing the resultant obtained from the acid treatment with water and then performing a freeze-drying (lyophilization) process; forming a microporous diffusion layer by dispersing the lyophilized resultant in a solvent, coating the dispersed resultant on a porous carbon support, and drying; and forming a catalyst layer on top of the microporous diffusion layer, an anode for a fuel cell obtained according to the method herein, and a fuel cell using the same. An anode having improved efficiency on liquid fuel diffusion can be obtained when using the fuel diffusion layer including the microporous diffusion layer formed of the carbon-based compounds obtained after an acid treatment and a freeze-drying process according to the present invention. A fuel cell having improved performance can be manufactured by using such an anode.

Abstract: A catalytic material for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst supported on a catalyst support, wherein the catalyst support comprises a Period IV transition metal phosphide is disclosed. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and fuel cell stack comprising such a catalytic material are similarly disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including: a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity; a cathode electrode catalyst layer disposed on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; an anode electrode catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and two gas diffusion layers disposed on a side of the cathode electrode catalyst layer and a side of the anode electrode catalyst layer, respectively; wherein the gas diffusion layer in the anode side is smaller in contact angle to water than the gas diffusion layer in the cathode side. The membrane electrode assembly also includes at least two coating layers different in properties from each other between the gas diffusion layer and the cathode electrode catalyst layer, and at least two coating layers different in properties from each other between the gas diffusion layer and the anode electrode catalyst layer.

Abstract: A barrier film for a fuel cell is provided, including a polymeric membrane having a plurality of support features. The support features are adapted to militate against a deflection of the membrane under a pressure differential across the membrane. A fuel cell employing the barrier film has a first plate with a port formed therein, and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate. The barrier film is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The support features of the barrier film militate against an intrusion of the membrane into the port. A fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells is also provided.

Abstract: A cathodic gas diffusion electrode for the electrochemical production of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions. The cathodic gas diffusion electrode comprises an electrically conductive gas diffusion substrate and a cathodic electrocatalyst layer supported on the gas diffusion substrate. A novel cathodic electrocatalyst layer comprises a cathodic electrocatalyst, a substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compound, a fluorocarbon polymer hydrophobic agent and binder, and a perfluoronated sulphonic acid polymer. An electrochemical cell using the novel cathodic electrocatalyst layer has been shown to produce an aqueous solution having between 8 and 14 weight percent hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, such electrochemical cells have shown stable production of hydrogen peroxide solutions over 1000 hours of operation including numerous system shutdowns.

Abstract: A fuel cell device includes an elongate substrate having a cold zone adjacent a first end and a reaction zone adjacent a second end configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature while the cold zone is configured to be shielded from the heat source to remain at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature. Fuel and air inlets positioned in the cold zone are coupled to respective elongate fuel and oxidizer passages that extend within an interior solid ceramic support structure through the reaction zone in parallel and opposing relation to respective outlets adjacent the second end. Electrodes positioned adjacent the passages in the reaction zone are each electrically coupled from the interior structure to respective exterior contact surfaces in the cold zone. A solid electrolyte monolithic with the ceramic support structure is positioned between electrodes, and electrical connections are made to the exterior contact surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solid oxide fuel cell and method for fabricating solid oxide fuel cells using thin film processing techniques. The fuel cell comprises a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an anode layer arranged in various configurations to optimize fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A catalyst ink composition for a fuel cell electrode is provided. The catalyst ink composition includes a plurality of electrically conductive support particles; a catalyst formed from a finely divided precious metal, the catalyst supported by the conductive support particles; an ionomer; at least one solvent; and a reinforcing material configured to bridge and distribute stresses across the electrically conductive support particles of the ink composition upon a drying thereof. An electrode for a fuel cell and a method of fabricating the electrode with the catalyst ink composition are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell device including an elongate substrate the length of which is the greatest dimension such that the elongate substrate exhibits thermal expansion along a dominant axis coextensive with the length. A reaction zone is provided along a first portion of the length for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone is provided along a second portion of the length that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated. A plurality of fuel passages and oxidizer passages extend within an interior solid ceramic support structure of the elongate substrate from the cold zone to the reaction zone, each fuel and oxidizer passage having an associated anode or cathode, respectively, in the reaction zone in opposing relation with an electrolyte disposed therebetween that is monolithic with the ceramic support structure.

Abstract: A proton conductor includes a water-soluble electrolyte membrane with proton conductivity and a proton-conductive ceramic that is provided on at least one surface of the water-soluble electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a membrane and electrode assembly comprising a catalyst layer that improves water holding properties and exhibits high power generation characteristics even in low humidified conditions without inhibiting removal of the water generated by the electrode reaction, etc. and its manufacturing method. [Solution] The membrane and electrode assembly produced by sandwiching a polymer electrolyte membrane between a pair of catalyst layers is provided, in which the catalyst layer comprises a polymer electrolyte and particles carrying a catalyst material, and in which the proportion of the polymer electrolyte expressed by {(mass of polymer electrolyte)/(mass of particles in particles carrying catalyst material)} in the catalyst layer is decreased toward the polymer electrolyte membrane (the inside) from the surface of the catalyst layer (the outside).

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode and a fuel cell, which are built to prevent escape of liquids, e.g. water and fuel solution, from the cell. Thus, according to a first aspect thereof, the present invention provides a cathode suitable for use in a fuel cell having a proton conducting membrane, the cathode comprising a plurality of layers including a catalyst layer and a hydrophobic porous support layer, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is a liquid water leak-proof layer, which allows gas to pass through it and prevents passage of liquid water and/or aqueous fuel solution.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly that includes a cathode electrode catalyst layer and an anode electrode catalyst layer respectively disposed on one side and the other side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, gas diffusion layers disposed respectively on the sides of the electrode catalyst layers; and intermediate layers having pores and disposed respectively between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer and between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. The volume per unit area and per unit mass of the pores having pore size of 0.1 to 10 ?m in the intermediate layer in the cathode side is larger than that in the intermediate layer in the anode side. The pore volume of the intermediate layer in the cathode side is 1.7 to 4.3 ?l/cm2/mg and that of the intermediate layer in the anode side is 0.5 to 1.4 ?l/cm2/mg.

Abstract: A single cell for a solid oxide fuel cell, in which a solid electrolyte layer is sandwiched by an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer. This single cell includes a substrate having openings and an insulating and stress absorbing layer stacked on an upper surface of this substrate. The solid electrolyte layer is formed on an upper surface of the insulating and stress absorbing layer so as to cover the openings, the upper electrode layer is stacked on an upper surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and the lower electrode layer is coated on a lower surface of the solid electrolyte layer via the openings from a lower surface of the substrate. A cell plate, in which these single cells are disposed two-dimensionally on a common substrate. Furthermore, a solid oxide fuel cell, in which these cell plates and plate-shaped separators including gas passages on both surfaces thereof are alternately stacked.

Abstract: A dense ceramic electrolyte membrane supported by symmetrical porous ceramic electrolyte layers. The thin (t<100 microns) electrolyte layer is sandwiched between two fugitive-containing electrolyte support layers that become highly porous after firing. The heat treated fugitive-containing support layers form a skeletal structure of strongly adhered electrolyte with an interpenetrating network of pores that extends well always from the electrolyte surface. The porous layers can be infiltrated with a range of electrode materials or precursors to form a solid oxide fuel cell or other electrochemical cell as well as electrochemical cell stacks. The supported ceramic membrane provides electrochemical performance advantages and reduces warpage during sintering compared to conventional structures.