Membrane electrode unit for the electrolysis of water

US7993499B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UMICORE AG & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Ralf Zuber · Großostheim, DE
• Klaus Schaack · Obernburg, DE
• Sandra Wittpahl · Obertshausen, DE
• Holger Dziallas · Hanau, DE
• Peter Seipel · Alzenau, DE
• Pia Braun · Langenselbold, DE
• Lutz Rohland · Offenbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2004
• Grant date: Aug 9, 2011
• Expiry date: Sep 18, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/53135
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side.The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane (“semi-coextensive design”). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products.Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.