MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITION CATALYST

摘要

A membrane electrode assembly (10) includes an anode (12) including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst; a cathode (14); a membrane (16) disposed between the anode (12) and the cathode (14); and a peroxide decomposition catalyst (18) positioned in at least one position selected from the group consisting of a layer between the anode and the membrane (47) and a layer between the cathode and the membrane (50) wherein the peroxide decomposition catalyst has selectivity when exposed to hydrogen peroxide toward reactions which form benign products from the hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide decomposition catalyst can also be positioned within the membrane (16). Also disclosed is a power-generating fuel cell system including such a membrane electrode assembly (10), and a process for operating such a fuel cell system. The assembly components contain ionomer material which can be perfluorinated or non-perfluorinated, high temperature, hydrocarbon, and the like.