CATHODE STRUCTURES FOR DIRECT LIQUID FUEL CELLS

摘要

Direct liquid feed solid polymer fuel cells are supplied with a liquid fuel stream typically comprising a mixture of fuel and a substantial amount of water (for example, liquid feed direct methanol fuel cells). The oxidant stream supplied however is typically a gaseous stream (for example, air) as is commonly supplied to gas feed solid polymer fuel cells. A greater amount of water typically diffuses from the anode side to the cathode side in liquid feed cells, thereby having an effect on water management at the cathode. A different cathode structure having a lesser amount of hydrophobic additive in the cathode substrate is preferred in liquid feed fuel cells. Further, a thinner cathode may be used without sacrificing fuel cell performance, by using a combination of a thinner carbonaceous support in the cathode substrate and a carbon-based sublayer between the cathode substrate and electrocatalyst layer.