Nanofiber supported catalysts as membrane additives for improved fuel cell durability
US9123932B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell membrane and a method of making the same. The membrane includes at least one non-reinforced layer and at least one reinforced layer. Both layers include a proton-conductive ionomer, while the reinforced layer additionally includes nanofiber-supported catalyst that improve mechanical and chemical durability of the membrane. The nanofiber-supported catalyst is made up of structural fibers onto which an electrocatalyst is coated, deposited or otherwise formed. The structural nanofibers give increased strength and stiffness to the layers that include them, while the electrocatalyst helps to resist electrochemical degradation to the membranes that include them. Such a membrane may form the basis of a fuel cell's membrane electrode assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.