Electrochemical device comprising composite bipolar plate and method of using the same

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An electrochemical device comprising:
(a) a polymer electrolyte membrane, said polymer electrolyte membrane having opposing first and second faces; (b) an anode electrically coupled to the first face of said polymer electrolyte membrane; (c) a cathode electrically coupled to the second face of said polymer electrolyte membrane; (d) an anodic gas diffusion medium defining an anode chamber in fluid communication with said anode; (e) a cathodic gas diffusion medium defining a cathode chamber in fluid communication with said cathode; and (f) a first electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with said anodic gas diffusion medium, wherein the first electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane comprises a solid polymer electrolyte and electrically-conductive particles.