POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL WITH FLUID DISTRIBUTION LAYER HAVING INTEGRAL SEALING CAPABILITY

摘要

An electrochemical fuel cell comprises a pair of separator plates (222, 224) and a pair of fluid distribution layers (218, 219) interposed between the separator plates. At least one of the fluid distribution layers comprises a sealing region (240) and an electrically conductive, fluid permeable active region (230), and a preformed sheet material extending into each of the sealing region and the active region. An ion exchange membrane (214) is interposed between at least a portion of the fluid distribution layers, and a quantity of electrocatalyst (220, 221) is interposed between at least a portion of each of the fluid distribution layers and at least a portion of the membrane, thereby defining the active region. Compression of the preformed sheet material by urging of the pair of plates towards each other renders the at least one fluid distribution layer substantially fluid impermeable in a direction parallel to the major planar surfaces, in the sealing region. The performed sheet material included in the at least one fluid distribution layer thus has intrinsic sealing capability. This approach reduces or eliminates the need for separate gaskets or sealing components and integrates several functions, such as sealing, fluid distribution, and current collection, in a single layer.