HYDROPHOBIC CATALYST LAYER FOR SOLID POLYMER FUEL CELL, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, SOLID POLYMER FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

摘要

Disclosed is a hydrophobic catalyst layer for solid polymer fuel cells wherein scattering of generated water is improved by imparting the catalyst layer with hydrophobic properties while increasing the effective surface area and the catalyst utilization rate at the same time. Also disclosed is a method for producing such a hydrophobic catalyst layer. Specifically disclosed is a catalyst layer for solid polymer fuel cells which is composed of a catalyst obtained by reducing a platinum oxide, a hydrophobic agent and a proton conducting electrolyte. The hydrophobic agent is mainly composed of an alkylsiloxane. An Si compound having a hydrophobic substituent is brought into contact with a platinum oxide for causing a hydrolysis and polymerization reaction of the Si compound by the catalytic action of the platinum oxide, and then the resulting product is subjected to a reduction, thereby obtaining a hydrophobic catalyst layer supporting an alkylsiloxane polymer.