Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon based electrode with a large geometrical surface area comprising a frame of an electrically conductive material with several cut-outs with a surface area, which cut-outs are separated from each other by portions of the conductive material, wherein carbon based sub-electrodes dimensioned so as to a least cover the surface area of the cut-outs are positioned in the cut-outs and conductively connected to at least part of each of the portions of the conductive material adjacent to the carbon based sub-electrodes.

Abstract: An electrolyser (F) for generating hydrogen from water, the electrolyser comprising an electrode (102), the electrode (120) comprising nanoparticles selected from Group 1 nanoparticles or alloys or composites or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A positive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer coated on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode active material layer includes an inner active material layer and an outer active material layer successively stacked. The inner active material layer has a three-level pore size distribution: an inner primary pore size distribution from 3 nm to 10 nm, an inner secondary pore size distribution from 10 nm to 100 nm, and an inner tertiary pore size distribution from 0.1 ?m to 2 ?m. The outer active material layer has a three-level pore size distribution: an outer primary pore size distribution from 0.5 nm to 3 nm, an outer secondary pore size distribution from 10 nm to 100 nm, and an outer tertiary pore size distribution from 0.1 ?m to 2 ?m.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuel cell stack body includes a step of forming a plurality of line-shaped separator cross-sectional patterns. In the patterns, a first direction along the build surface is the stacking direction, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is the planar direction of the separators. The patterns extend in the second direction and meander so as to have convexities and concavities in the first direction. The manufacturing method further includes a step of forming the electrolyte membrane cross-sectional pattern and a step of forming the electrode cross-sectional patterns. These steps are repeated to perform stacking in a direction perpendicular to the build surface.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet-type cell with excellent reliability. The sheet-type cell of the present invention includes power generation elements, including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte solution, and a sheet-type outer case made of a resin film in which the power generation elements are contained. The electrolyte solution is an aqueous electrolyte solution. The resin film has an electrically insulating moisture barrier layer. The sheet-type cell is a primary cell. The moisture barrier layer of the resin film is preferably composed of at least an inorganic oxide. The pH of the electrolyte solution is preferably 3 or more and less than 12.

Abstract: An electrochemical module (EM) transfers a fluid across a membrane thereof using oxygen as a carrier gas. The EM has an anion exchange membrane (AEM) disposed between a first and second electrodes, each of which includes a catalyst. At an inlet side, the catalyst facilitates reaction of the fluid with carrier gas, such that an anion is formed. The anion is transported across the AEM in the presence of an electric field applied to the electrodes. At an outlet side, the catalyst facilitates dissociation of the anion back to the fluid and carrier gas. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and the transporting by the EM is part of a heating/cooling cycle or a power generation cycle, or is used to capture carbon dioxide for storage or regeneration of stale air. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises water vapor, and the transporting by the EM dehumidifies air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst layer for a fuel cell that has good gas diffusion properties in the entire catalyst layer and in which coarsening of catalyst particles can be suppressed. The catalyst layer for a fuel cell includes fibrous conductive members and catalyst particles. The fibrous conductive members are inclined relative to the surface direction of the catalyst layer, and the length L of the fibrous conductive members and the thickness T of the catalyst layer satisfy the relational expression: L/T?3. Each of the catalyst particles includes a core portion and a shell portion that covers the core portion, and contains a component different from that of the core portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator. A constant amount of air is supplied to the fuel cell irrespective of positions within an air channel, and thus, degradation of the fuel cell is prevented. The separator includes a separator body and a porous structure which has a plurality of pores defined therein to provide a path through which a fluid flows, where the separator body includes: a fluid inlet part having a space into which the fluid is introduced; a reaction region configured to receive the fluid; and a diffusion part which is provided between the fluid inlet part and the reaction region, where the porous structure is stacked on one surface of the reaction region, and the number of pores per unit volume of the porous structure varies in an inlet region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro-porous layer which provides a fuel battery having high productivity, high power generation performance, and high durability. The present invention provides a micro-porous layer including fibrous carbohydrate having a fiber diameter of 5 nm-10 ?m and an aspect ratio of 10 or more. The carbohydrate has an oxygen/carbon element ratio of 0.02 or more.

Abstract: A fuel battery includes a membrane-electrode assembly including a first catalyst layer and a first gas diffusion layer stacked on a first surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a second catalyst layer and a second gas diffusion layer stacked on a second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane-electrode assembly is interposed between a first separator and a second separator. The first separator includes a rib and a groove on a surface that is in contact with the first gas diffusion layer, the rib and the groove defining a gas flow path through which a reaction gas is to flow. A thickness of the first gas diffusion layer is defined as h, and a width of a portion of the rib that is in contact with the first gas diffusion layer is defined as Rw such that 0.29 Rw?h?0.55 Rw is satisfied.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst comprising molybdenum disulfide nanosheets with dispersed iron phosphide nanoparticles is described. The molybdenum disulfide nanosheets may have an average length in a range of 300 nm-1 ?m and the iron phosphide nanoparticles may have an average diameter in a range of 5-20 nm. The electrocatalyst may have an electroactive surface area in a range of 10-50 mF·cm?2 when deposited on a working electrode for use in a hydrogen evolution reaction.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode includes a porous carbon electrode substrate and a microporous layer(s) provided at least on one surface of the porous carbon electrode substrate. The porous carbon electrode substrate is composed of carbon short fibers bonded with a resin carbide. When the region of the porous carbon electrode substrate, extending from a plane that has a 50% filling rate and is closest to one surface of the substrate to a plane that has the 50% filling rate and is closest to the other surface thereof, is trisected in the through-plane direction to obtain three layers, a layer located closer to one surface has a layer filling rate different from the layer filling rate of the layer located closer to the other surface. The microporous layer has a thickness under an added pressure of 0.15 MPa of from 28 to 45 ?m, and has a thickness under an added pressure of 2 MPa of from 25 to 35 ?m.

Abstract: Gas diffusion layers, that is, an anode-side gas diffusion layer and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer that are attached to an MEA have irregularities on fiber surfaces of carbon fibers deposited in a layer thickness direction. These irregularities on the fiber surfaces are formed when the fibers are extruded from an extrusion nozzle to be spun.

Abstract: A nonhumidified fuel cell is provided that includes a catalytic layer coupled to an anode or a cathode that is configured to accelerate an electrochemical reaction of a fuel gas or air, and a gas diffusion layer that has air pores diffusing the fuel gas or air to the catalytic layer and diffusing water generated by the electrochemical reaction with the fuel gas in the catalytic layer. In particular, a ratio of a volume of water to a volume of air pores of the gas diffusion layer ranges from about 0.1 to 0.4.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate assembly (400) comprising: a bipolar plate (102) having a port (104) for receiving a fluid; a fluid diffusion layer (210); and an electrode defining an active area (105). The fluid diffusion layer is configured to communicate a fluid received at the port (104) to the active area (105).

Abstract: A method of preparing a gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer, and a reaction layer arranged to each other, wherein the diffusion layer is prepared by i) admixing a) sacrificial material, b) polymer and c) a metal-based material and d) optional further components, wherein the sacrificial material has a release temperature below about 275° C. and is added in an amount from about 1 to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of components a)-d) admixed; ii) forming a diffusion layer from the admixture of step i); iii) heating the forming diffusion layer to a temperature lower than about 275° C. so as to release at least a part of said sacrificial material from the diffusion layer. A gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer and a reaction layer arranged to one another, wherein the diffusion layer has a porosity ranging from about 60 to about 95%, and an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode.

Abstract: A microporous layer forming a portion of a gas diffusion layer assembly positioned adjacent to a catalyst layer within a fuel cell electrode. The microporous includes a first carbon-based material layer comprising a plurality of hydrophobic pores with a diameter of 0.05 to 0.2 ?m and a plurality of bores with a diameter of 1 to 20 ?m. The microporous layer structures and gas diffusion layer assemblies disclosed herein may be defined by a number of various designs and arrangements for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems.

Abstract: Provided is a porous electrode substrate having high mechanical strength, good handling properties, high thickness precision, little undulation, and adequate gas permeability and conductivity. Also provided is a method for producing a porous electrode substrate at low costs. A porous electrode substrate is produced by joining short carbon fibers (A) via mesh-like of carbon fibers (B) having an average diameter of 4 ?m or smaller. Further provided are a membrane-electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that use this porous electrode membrane. A porous electrode substrate is obtained by subjecting a precursor sheet, in which short carbon fibers (A) and short carbon fiber precursors (b) having an average diameter of 5 ?m or smaller have been dispersed, to carbonization treatment after optional hot press forming and optional oxidization treatment.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell that secures a flow path of a separator while preventing generation of a pin-hole. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a microporous layer that is disposed at both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, a backing layer that is disposed on the microporous layer, and a circumferential edge protective layer that is disposed at an circumferential edge of the electrolyte membrane. An end portion of the microporous layer is positioned further inside of the membrane electrode assembly than an end portion of the backing layer. The circumferential edge protective layer is inserted between the backing layer and the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating gas diffusion electrodes and gas diffusion electrodes made from such methods are disclosed herein. One method of fabricating a gas diffusion electrode for a fuel cell comprises preparing a catalyst ink of a predetermined viscosity. Preparing the catalyst ink comprises mixing a catalyst solution comprising catalyst particles, an ionomer and a solvent at a first speed for a first period of time and homogenizing the catalyst solution at a second speed in a temperature controlled environment for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is longer than the first period of time, the second period of time and the second speed selected to preserve a structure of the catalyst particles during homogenization. An active electrode layer is formed by spraying the catalyst ink directly on a gas diffusion layer in a single application and a uniform loading.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plate-like cell, a separator on one side of the plate-like cell, and a separator on the other side of the plate-like cell. The plate-like cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The anode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The cathode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer contains a porous carbon material formed with micro pores, which functions as an electric double layer, and an ion-exchange resin. At least part of the porous carbon material supports a catalytic metal such as platinum. The porous carbon material to be used is preferably a carbide-derived carbon. The carbide-derived carbon preferably has micro pores of 1 nm or less.

Abstract: Provided is a porous electrode substrate having high mechanical strength, good handling properties, high thickness precision, little undulation, and adequate gas permeability and conductivity. Also provided is a method for producing a porous electrode substrate at low costs. A porous electrode substrate is produced by joining short carbon fibers (A) via mesh-like of carbon fibers (B) having an average diameter of 4 ?m or smaller. Further provided are a membrane-electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that use this porous electrode membrane. A porous electrode substrate is obtained by subjecting a precursor sheet, in which short carbon fibers (A) and short carbon fiber precursors (b) having an average diameter of 5 ?m or smaller have been dispersed, to carbonization treatment after optional hot press forming and optional oxidization treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides catalysts that are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential, have excellent durability and show high oxygen reducing ability. In a process of producing fuel cell electrodes containing a metal oxide and an electron conductive substance, the process includes steps in which a sugar is applied and carbonized on a support layer supporting the metal oxide and the electron conductive substance.

Abstract: A gas diffusion medium for a fuel cell includes a microporous region [A], an electrode base material, and a microporous region [B] arranged in the order mentioned, wherein the microporous region [A] has an areal ratio of 5 to 70%, and the microporous region [B] has an areal ratio of 80 to 100%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preparing an integral 3-layer catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) for use in electrochemical cells, e.g. PEM (polymer-electrolyte membrane) fuel cells. The process comprising the steps of preparing a first catalyst layer on a supporting substrate, subsequently coating the first catalyst layer with an ionomer dispersion to form an ionomer layer (membrane), and applying a second catalyst layer on top of the ionomer layer. The ionomer dispersion applied in the membrane coating step has low viscosity in the range of 10 to 400 centipoises (cP) and an ionomer concentration in the range of 15 to 35 weight-%. With this method, CCMs with improved electrochemical performance and reduced cathode resistance are manufactured.

Abstract: A catalyst includes (i) a primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, and (ii) an electrically conductive carbon support material for the primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, wherein the carbon support material: (a) has a specific surface area (BET) of 100-600 m2/g, and (b) has a micropore area of 10-90 m2/g.

Abstract: Diffusion media for use in PEM fuel cells are provided with silicone coatings. The media are made of a porous electroconductive substrate, a first hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer coating adhered to the substrate, and a second coating comprising a hydrophobic silicone polymer adhered to the substrate. The substrate is preferably a carbon fiber paper, the hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer is PTFE or similar polymer, and the silicone is moisture curable.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer contains a substrate formed of a carbon containing material and a micro porous layer. The gas diffusion layer can be obtained by dispersing carbon black with a BET surface area of at most 200 m2/g, carbon nanotubes with a BET surface area of at least 200 m2/g and with an average outer diameter of at most 25 nm and a dispersion medium at a shearing rate of at least 1,000 seconds?1 and/or such that, in the dispersion produced, at least 90% of all carbon nanotubes have a mean agglomerate size of at most 25 ?m. The dispersion is applied to at least one portion of at least one side of the substrate, and the dispersion is dried.

Abstract: This invention provides metal-foam electrodes for batteries and fuel cells. In some variations, an electrode includes a first metal layer disposed on a second metal layer, wherein the first metal layer comprises an electrically conductive, open-cell metal foam with an average cell diameter of about 25 ?m or less. The structure also includes smaller pores between the cells. The electrode forms a one piece monolithic structure and allows thicker electrodes than are possible with current electrode-fabrication techniques. These electrodes are formed from an all-fluidic plating solution. The disclosed structures increase energy density in batteries and power density in fuel cells.

Abstract: A configuration for preventing deformation of a solid oxide fuel cell is provided. A solid oxide fuel cell 1 includes a support substrate 2 formed from a gas-permeable metal, an anode 3 placed on the first surface of the support substrate 2, a back surface layer 7 placed on the second surface of the support substrate 2, an electrolyte 4 placed on the anode 3, and a cathode 6 placed on the electrolyte 4, and the anode and the back surface layer contain a metal and a ceramic.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer (30) for a fuel cell includes: a gas diffusion layer substrate (31); and a microporous layer (32) containing a granular carbon material and scale-like graphite and formed on the gas diffusion layer substrate (31). The microporous layer (32) includes a concentrated region (32a) of the scale-like graphite that is formed into a belt-like shape extending in a direction approximately parallel to a junction surface (31a) between the microporous layer (32) and the gas diffusion layer substrate (31). Accordingly, both resistance to dry-out and resistance to flooding, which are generally in a trade-off relationship, in the gas diffusion layer can be ensured so as to contribute to an increase in performance of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Abstract: A cathode for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst layer; a backing layer mounted to an aperture in a fuel chamber of said fuel cell; 1) wherein said catalyst layer is mounted to the backing layer on a face opposed to the aperture, so as to be in fluid communication with atmospheric oxygen in the case of microbial fuel cell; and 2) wherein said catalyst layer is mounted to the backing layer on a face opposed to the aperture, so as to be in fluid communication with water in the case of microbial electrolysis cell.

Abstract: A microporous layer sheet for a fuel cell according to the present invention includes at least two microporous layers, which are stacked on a gas diffusion layer substrate, and contain a carbon material and a binder. Then, the microporous layer sheet for a fuel cell is characterized in that a content of the binder in the microporous layer as a first layer located on the gas diffusion layer substrate side is smaller than contents of the binder in the microporous layers other than the first layer. The microporous layer sheet for a fuel cell, which is as described above, can ensure gas permeability and drainage performance without lowering strength. Hence, the microporous layer sheet for a fuel cell, which is as described above, can contribute to performance enhancement of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell by application thereof to a gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminar structure which is used in a microporous layer, an electrode layer or the like of a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, and also relates to a production method for same. The laminar structure is a laminar structure which is comprised in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and comprises an electrosprayed layer which is formed by the lamination of electrospraying ink, that has been charged by means of an electric field, through an electrospraying process in which the electrospraying ink is dispersed and sprayed as electrospraying liquid droplets, and, in the electrospraying process, the electrospraying substance transmission mode is set in accordance with the adjustment of electrospraying process variables.

Abstract: In an electrode-membrane-frame assembly production method, a principal part is formed by an electrolyte membrane, first and second catalyst layers and first and second gas diffusion layers, with the first and second gas diffusion layers arranged with their outer circumferences at different positions. The principal part is arranged in a molding die with a circumferential region of the principal part disposed on a flat region of a primary molded body. A circumferential portion of one of the gas diffusion layers is arranged to oppose a flat region of the primary molded body so that the membrane is interposed between the circumferential portion and the flat region. Subsequently, a secondary molded body is formed to integrate with the primary molded body and the principal part.

Abstract: A dispersion composition including a fluorine-containing ion exchange resin having a repeating unit represented by the formulae (1) and a repeating unit represented by the formulae (2), and having an equivalent weight of 400 to 1000 g/eq; and a solvent comprising water, wherein Z represents H, Cl, F, or a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; m represents an integer of 0 to 12; and n represents an integer of 0 to 2, and wherein an abundance ratio of a resin having a particle size of 10 ?m or more in the fluorine-containing ion exchange resin is 0.1% to 80% by volume.

Abstract: An electrode for a fuel cell including a gas diffusion layer, and a catalyst layer bound to at least one surface of the gas diffusion layer and including a catalyst and a binder; and a fuel cell including the electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas diffusion electrodes for rechargeable electrochemical cells, which comprise at least one support material bearing at least one catalyst, wherein the support material comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive metal oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides and organic semiconductors. The present invention further relates to a process for producing such gas diffusion electrodes and also rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising such gas diffusion electrodes.

Abstract: A nanostructured anode of solid oxide fuel cell with high stability and high efficiency and a method for manufacturing the same are revealed. This anode comprising a porous permeable metal substrate, a diffusion barrier layer and a nano-composite film is formed by atmospheric plasma spray. The nano-composite film includes a plurality of metal nanoparticles, a plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles, and a plurality of gas pores that are connected to form nano gas channels. The metal nanoparticles are connected to form a 3-dimensional network that conducts electrons, while the metal oxide nanoparticles are connected to form a 3-dimensional network that conducts oxygen ions. The network formed by metal oxide nanoparticles has certain strength to separate metal nanoparticles and prevent aggregation or agglomeration of the metal nanoparticles. Thus this anode can be applied to a solid oxide fuel cell operating in the intermediate temperatures (600˜800° C.) with high stability and high efficiency.

Abstract: A carbon substrate for a gas diffusion layer that has a porosity gradient in a thickness direction thereof, a gas diffusion using the carbon substrate, an electrode and a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell that include the gas diffusion layer, and a fuel cell including the membrane-electrode assembly having the gas diffusion layer are provided. The gas diffusion layer has improved water discharge ability and improved bending strength both in the machine direction and cross-machine direction.

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: A gas diffusion electrode material of the present invention includes: a porous body (1) formed of continuous and discontinuous polytetrafluoroethylene microfibers (2) and having three-dimensionally continuous micropores (4); and a conductive material (3) supported on the porous body (1). Moreover, a density of the polytetrafluoroethylene microfiber (2) is lower in a surface region (1A) of a cross section of the porous body (1) than in an intermediate region (1B) of the cross section. In accordance with the present invention, the polytetrafluoroethylene having the predetermined three-dimensional structure is used, and so on. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gas diffusion electrode material excellent in power generation characteristics and durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing proton-conducting clay particles, successively comprising the following steps: a) a step of activating a clay powder, comprising a step in which the said powder is subjected to a gas plasma; b) a grafting step comprising a step of placing the activated powder obtained from step a) in contact with a solution comprising at least one compound comprising at least one group chosen from —PO3H2, —CO2H and —SO3H and salts thereof and comprising at least one group capable of grafting onto the surface of the said powder. Use of these particles for the manufacture of fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: Provided is a porous electrode substrate having high mechanical strength, good handling properties, high thickness precision, little undulation, and adequate gas permeability and conductivity. Also provided is a method for producing a porous electrode substrate at low costs. A porous electrode substrate is produced by joining short carbon fibers (A) via mesh-like of carbon fibers (B) having an average diameter of 4 ?m or smaller. Further provided are a membrane-electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that use this porous electrode membrane. A porous electrode substrate is obtained by subjecting a precursor sheet, in which short carbon fibers (A) and short carbon fiber precursors (b) having an average diameter of 5 ?m or smaller have been dispersed, to carbonization treatment after optional hot press forming and optional oxidization treatment.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a capability of making uniform a water distribution in an in-plane direction of a polymer electrolyte membrane and supplying a reactive gas to an air electrode catalyst layer efficiently is provided. The fuel cell of the present invention has a polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of catalyst electrodes, and a pair of metal separators. An air electrode separator has an oxidizing gas flow channel used to supply an oxidizing gas to the catalyst electrodes. The oxidizing gas flow channel is formed in such a manner that a flow channel near an oxidizing gas supply manifold and a flow channel near an oxidizing gas exhaust manifold are adjacent to each other in the same plane, and is formed in an S-shaped or spiral pattern.

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: 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: The invention relates to a membrane electrode unit (MEU) for electrochemical apparatuses, in particular for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). The membrane electrode unit contains backings (i.e. gas diffusion layers) on the anode side and cathode side, which have a different water tightness (WT). The anode backing must have a lower water tightness (i.e. a higher water permeability) than the cathode backing, where WTAnode<WTCathode. The anode backing preferably has no compensating layer (microlayer), has a lower content of water repellent (from 2 to 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight) and has a higher total pore volume (VTot) than the cathode backing. The membrane electrode units produced have a substantially improved performance in DMFC fuel cells which are operated with aqueous methanol solution.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant ceramic electrode material includes ceramic particles and, present between them, a three-dimensional network electroconducting path composed of a reductively fired product of a carbon-containing polymeric compound. This material is manufactured by a method in which a polymerization reaction of a polymerizable monomer previously contained in a ceramic slurry is performed to gel the ceramic slurry to thereby give a green body; and after drying and degreasing, the green body is fired in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: The membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode facing each other and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. The cathode includes an electrode substrate and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate, and the catalyst layer has a mesopore volume ranging from 0.013 to 0.04 cm3/g. The membrane-electrode assembly has low mass resistance and contributes to the overall increased performance of the fuel cell by having optimal pore volumes (e.g., mesopore volume) in a cathode catalyst layer to provide ease of transfer and release of materials within the membrane-electrode assembly of the fuel cell.