FUEL CELL MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES WITH IMPROVED POWER OUTPUTS

摘要

An electrode-membrane combination for use in a fuel cell comprising at least one reactant diffusive, electronically conductive electrode (1, 3) comprisin g at least one first catalytically active metal and at least one ionically conductive polymer; and at least one ionically conductive membrane (2) contacting the electrode to form an electrode-membrane interfacial region (4 , 5), wherein the interfacial region comprises at least one zone comprising at least one second catalytically active metal and having a zone thickness of about 3 angstroms to about 475 angstroms. Surprisingly improved power output is observed. The zone is preferably deposited by electrom beam physical vapo r deposition. Substantially spherical modules are observed for the zone from field-emission SEM analysis.