Nanofiber supported catalysts as membrane additives for improved fuel cell durability

摘要

A fuel cell membrane and a method of making the same. The membrane includes at least one non-reinforced layer and at least one reinforced layer. Both layers include a proton-conductive ionomer, while the reinforced layer additionally includes nanofiber-supported catalyst that improve mechanical and chemical durability of the membrane. The nanofiber-supported catalyst is made up of structural fibers onto which an electrocatalyst is coated, deposited or otherwise formed. The structural nanofibers give increased strength and stiffness to the layers that include them, while the electrocatalyst helps to resist electrochemical degradation to the membranes that include them. Such a membrane may form the basis of a fuel cell's membrane electrode assembly.

主权项

1. A fuel cell membrane defining a proton-transmissive electrolyte therein, the electrolyte comprising:
at least one non-reinforced layer comprising ionomer substantially free of nanofiber-supported catalyst; and at least one reinforced layer comprising ionomer and nanofiber-supported catalyst, wherein said nanofiber-supported catalyst comprises nanofibers that are directionally oriented substantially within a horizontal plane of the reinforced layer.