Abraded fluid diffusion layer for an electrochemical fuel cell

摘要

In a method of manufacturing a fluid diffusion layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a surface of the fluid diffusion layer is abraded so that the topography of the fluid diffusion layer surface is rendered more uniform. The fluid diffusion layer comprises a porous substrate, and may also comprise a carbon-containing sublayer, as well as hydrophobic material. The particles formed by the abrading operation may be deposited into at least some of the pores of the substrate to form a support structure for the direct depositing of a catalyst onto the abraded surface.