Membrane-Electrode Assembly for a Low-Temperature Fuel Cell and Method for Its Manufacture

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This patent describes a new method and structure for attaching the membrane and electrodes in low-temperature fuel cells, especially polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Instead of bonding the membrane and electrode layers over their whole surface, the invention uses localized adhesive spots or lines (e.g., with Nafion® or epoxy), making up less than 30% of the total interface. This technique significantly improves the mechanical stability and durability of the fuel cell without blocking reactant gas flow or reducing performance.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Fuel cells for zero-emission vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks
• Portable energy sources for electronics and off-grid devices
• Backup power systems for critical infrastructure
• Low-temperature fuel cells in stationary energy applications (e.g., residential power generation)
• Direct methanol fuel cells for consumer electronics and lightweight transport systems
• Robust fuel cells in harsh or vibration-prone environments

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improved mechanical stability and resistance to delamination between membrane and electrodes
• Minimized risk of tears or mechanical failure due to differential swelling, enhancing longevity
• Maintains high fuel cell performance by preserving optimal mass transport and minimizing flow blockage
• Applicable to various fuel cell technologies (PEM, direct methanol, etc.)
• Simple modification to existing manufacturing processes using known materials and adhesives
• Enables more robust and efficient fuel cells for a wide range of real-world applications

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a low-temperature fuel cell and to a method for producing the same, having a diaphragm and two electrodes arranged thereon, each comprising a diffusion layer and a carbon carrier layer with a catalyst. It is characterized by the fact that at least one diffusion layer and the diaphragm are adhesively bonded to one another via locally defined joins, wherein the locally defined joins make up a maximum of 30% of the interface to be connected. The joins are in this case not two-dimensional, but are locally defined, in particular punctiform or linear. This additional adhesive bonding, for example consisting of Nafion®, results in extensive interleaving of the polymer electrolyte diaphragm and the electrode, since it can advantageously reach further through the individual carbon carrier particles as far as the diffusion layer. The extension produced by the swelling of the polymer electrolyte diaphragm is now markedly reduced by the interleaving with the electrode. Tears within the carbon carrier layers therefore advantageously no longer arise as easily.