Gas diffusion layer for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell
US6127059A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A gas diffusion layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a solid polymer electrolyte and a catalyst layer disposed adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte, where the gas diffusion layer includes a carbon fiber woven cloth having a surface and a coating of a fluororesin (such as polytetrafluoroethylene) containing carbon black on the surface, wherein the carbon fiber woven cloth is adapted to be disposed in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell such that the coating is adjacent to the catalyst layer in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Preferably, the coating penetrates no more than one-half the thickness of the carbon fiber woven cloth. Most preferably, the coating penetrates no more than one-third the thickness of the carbon fiber woven cloth. The carbon fiber woven cloth may be pre-treated with a water-repellent fluororesin (such as polytetrafluoroethylene), or with a mixture of a fluororesin and carbon black, to enhance water repellency. In another aspect, the invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell including a solid polymer electrolyte having first and second surfaces, a catalyst layer disposed on each of the first and second surfaces, …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.