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 membra ne so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantial ly occlusive; and at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulati ng 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 exchan ge material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particles size less than about 75 nm.