Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100099011 | ELECTRODE MORPHOLOGY VIA USE OF HIGH BOILING POINT CO-SOLVENTS IN ELECTRODE INKS - A method and device for operating a fuel cell system. The method includes applying a catalyst ink or related liquid that contains an electrocatalyst and electrolyte to a diffusion media so that the portion of the media that includes the electrocatalyst can function as a fuel cell electrode, specifically an anode or cathode. In addition to the electrocatalyst and electrolyte, the ink contains a solvent and a co-solvent, where the co-solvent has a boiling point that exceeds that of the solvent. Heating or related processing removes the solvent from the diffusion layer, but leaves at least some of the co-solvent in liquid form. This residual liquid reduces the likelihood of electrode cracking that may otherwise form during subsequent electrode processing. | 04-22-2010 |
20120064434 | PROCESS AND MATERIALS FOR MANUFACTURING AN ELECTRODE WITH REDUCED MUD CRACKING - A substantially crack-free electrode layer is described. The substantially crack-free electrode layer includes a substrate; and a substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate, the electrode layer comprising a catalyst, an ionomer, and a layered silicate reinforcement. Methods of making the electrode layer, electrode ink compositions, and membrane electrode assemblies incorporating the electrode layer are also described. | 03-15-2012 |
20120111490 | WET LAMINATION PROCESS FOR REDUCING MUD CRACKING IN FUEL CELL COMPONENTS - Methods of making a substantially crack-free electrode layer are described. The methods include depositing an electrode ink on a substrate; placing a solid polymer film on a surface of the wet electrode ink; drying the electrode ink; and removing the solid polymer film from the surface of the dry electrode ink to form the substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate. | 05-10-2012 |
20120183877 | WET LAMINATION PROCESS FOR REDUCING MUD CRACKING IN FUEL CELL COMPONENTS - Methods of making a substantially crack-free electrode layer are described. The methods include depositing an electrode ink on a substrate; placing a layer of porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the wet electrode ink; and drying the electrode ink to form the substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate. Substantially crack-free electrode layers and fuel cells incorporating substantially crack-free electrode layers are also described. | 07-19-2012 |
20130142946 | Electrode With Reduced Mud Cracking Via Mixed Equivalent Weight Ionomers - An ink composition for forming a fuel cell electrode, and in particular, a fuel cell cathode layer is provided. The ink composition includes a first protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight less than 800, an optional second protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight greater than 800, and a catalyst composition. Electrode layers formed from the ink composition are also provided. | 06-06-2013 |
20130202986 | REINFORCED ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY - A fuel cell, a reinforced membrane electrode assembly and a method of fabricating a reinforced membrane electrode assembly. The method comprises depositing an electrode ink onto a first substrate to form a first electrode layer, applying a first porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the first electrode layer to form a first catalyst coated substrate, depositing a first ionomer solution onto the first catalyst coated substrate to form a first ionomer layer, and applying a membrane porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the first ionomer layer to form a reinforced membrane layer. | 08-08-2013 |
20140120458 | Direct Coated Membrane Electrode Assembly On External Reinforcement For Fuel Cells - Disclosed are methods for fabricating a reinforced membrane electrode assembly having one or more freestanding external reinforcement layers. The method comprises providing a freestanding external reinforcement layer, and depositing a catalyst solution and membrane solution onto at least a portion of the freestanding external reinforcement layer. | 05-01-2014 |
20140261981 | CATHODE COMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND METHODS THEREOF FOR IMPROVED FUEL CELL PERFORMANCE UNDER HIGH HUMIDITY - Disclosed are methods for fabricating a cathode composite structure to improve fuel cell performance. The methods comprise preparing a cathode composition for a cathode layer, the cathode composition having an average particle size distribution of from about 0.1 to about 30 microns, and simultaneously depositing the cathode composition and at least one other composition onto a substrate such that a cathode layer is formed on the substrate and at least one other layer is formed on the cathode layer to form a cathode composite structure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261982 | SIMULTANEOUS COATING OF FUEL CELL COMPONENTS - Disclosed are methods for simultaneous application of multiple fuel cell component coatings onto a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate, and simultaneously coating two or more solutions onto the substrate under laminar flow. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261983 | MANUFACTURABILITY OF ePTFE LAMINATED MEMBRANES - Methods for manufacturing laminated membranes for MEAs, such methods comprising (i) providing a substrate, a catalyst ink fluid, and a first membrane fluid; (ii) providing a second membrane fluid; (iii) simultaneously coating the catalyst ink fluid onto the substrate, the first membrane fluid onto the catalyst ink fluid, and the second membrane fluid onto the first membrane fluid; and (iv) applying a reinforcement layer (such as ePTFE) and allowing for full imbibement. The second membrane fluid (i) consists of alcohol or (ii) is an alcohol-rich fluid comprising polymer electrolyte. | 09-18-2014 |