CATALYST LAYER WITH THROUGH-HOLES FOR FUEL CELLS

摘要

The performance of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks can be improved by incorporating an appropriate set of through-holes in the catalyst layers, and particularly in the cathode catalyst layers. Intaglio methods suitable for manufacturing catalyst layers with through-holes are disclosed.

主权项

1. An intaglio method of making a catalyst coated membrane, the catalyst coated membrane comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane coated with a catalyst layer, the catalyst layer comprising a plurality of through-holes, the method comprising:
providing a printing surface comprising a depression and a plurality of pillars arranged in a pattern within the depression; filling the depression with an ink comprising the catalyst; drying the ink in the depression of the printing surface; contacting a sheet of the solid polymer electrolyte to the printing surface; and applying pressure and heat to the contacted solid polymer electrolyte and printing surface, thereby making the catalyst coated membrane wherein the plurality of through-holes are located in accordance with the locations of the plurality of pillars in the printing surface.