SOLID POLYMER ELECTROLYTE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a opposing first and second surfaces, where the solid polymer electrolyte member has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils; at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; and at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particles size less than about 75 nm.