High temperature membrane electrode assembly with high power density and corresponding method of making

摘要

A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with enhanced current density or power density is fabricated using high temperature (HT) proton exchange membrane (PEM). The MEA can be utilized in high temperature PEM fuel cell applications. More specifically, the MEA is modified with the addition of one or more of selected materials to its catalyst layer to enhance the rates of the fuel cell reactions and thus attain dramatic increases of the power output of the MEA in the fuel cell. The MEA has application to other electro-chemical devices, including an electrolyzer, a compressor, or a generator, purifier, and concentrator of hydrogen and oxygen using HT PEM MEAs.

主权项

1. A membrane electrode assembly, comprising a high temperature proton exchange membrane disposed between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode; wherein a catalyst and at least one additive are disposed in a layer applied at an interface between the membrane and each of the anode and cathode electrodes; wherein the at least one additive comprises an organic or inorganic acid material, acid salt, fluoropolymer, perfluoroacid electrolyte, or an ionomer in an amount of between about 1% and 15% of a weight of the catalyst at the interface; wherein the additive is in immediate contact with the catalyst thereby creating enhanced reaction kinetics at the interface, including enhanced oxygen reduction kinetics at the cathode interface; and wherein the resulting assembly has a power density per unit area of between about 180 and 300 mW/cm2 at 0.67V with ambient pressure H2/Air operating at 180° C.