MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL FUEL CELLS

摘要

Contamination of the ion-exchange membrane in an electrochemical fuel cell can significantly reduce its lifetime. One source of contamination is from sealant materials, more specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Pursuant to the invention, an assembled membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is heated at a temperature of about 200.degree.C fo r about 2 hours. This removes a high percentage of VOCs present in the assembled MEA, more specifically present in the seals.