ASYMMETRIC ELECTRODES FOR DIRECT-FEED FUEL CELLS

摘要

An improved direct-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte (120) for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Fuel crossover has been reduced due to pore structures blockage at the electrode-membrane interfaces (230, 270) of the membrane electrode assembly (160). Two improved MEA's are disclosed. One utilizes a multi-layer catalyst formation with a densest catalyst layer (220, 260) applied at the electrode-catalyst interfaces (230, 270). Another utilizes an inert pore blocking layer (320, 340) at the electrode-membrane interfaces (230, 270).