POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND STACKS WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED LAYERS

摘要

An electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies interposed between pairs of separator plates. The stack comprises adhesively bonded layers. Preferably each membrane electrode assembly is adhesively bon ded to the adjacent pair of separator plates. The adhesive bond between the plate and m embrane electrode assembly preferably provides a substantially gas and liquid-tight seal around the perimeter of the electrochemically active area of the membrane electrode ass embly and around any fluid manifold openings formed therein. Alternatively, or in addi tion, adjoining pairs of separator plates in an electrochemical cell stack may be adhesively bonded together. Such pairs of adhesively bonded plates may define cooling s paces between neighboring cells. Stacks comprising a plurality of individual cell modules may be formed, each module comprising a membrane electrode assembly bonded to a pair of separator plates.