Patent · US Active

Membrane electrode unit for the electrolysis of water

US8343321B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by

0References

10Claims

0Family size

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 13, 2011
Grant date	Jan 1, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jul 13, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T29/53135
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical 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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.