Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) architecture for improved durability for a PEM fuel cell
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H01M-002/14
H01M-008/04
H01M-008/10
출원번호
UP-0131529
(2005-05-18)
등록번호
US-7759017
(2010-08-09)
발명자
/ 주소
Mikhail, Youssef M.
Vyas, Gayatri
출원인 / 주소
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
14
초록▼
An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a layer of a conductive non-metallic fiberless microporous media. In certain embodiments, an electrically conductive metal is deposited along a surface of the element to form one or more metallized regions. The metal
An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a layer of a conductive non-metallic fiberless microporous media. In certain embodiments, an electrically conductive metal is deposited along a surface of the element to form one or more metallized regions. The metallized regions are arranged to contact a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell assembly, and thus improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the MEA and the layer of media. Methods of making such a fluid distribution element and operating fuel cell assemblies are also provided.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A fluid distribution element for a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the element comprising: a layer comprising an electrically conductive expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous distribution media having electrically conductive particles of non-fibro
What is claimed is: 1. A fluid distribution element for a fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the element comprising: a layer comprising an electrically conductive expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous distribution media having electrically conductive particles of non-fibrous geometry distributed therein and having one or more metallized regions on a surface of said layer, said one or more metallized regions contacting a major surface of the MEA and forming respective electrically conductive paths between the MEA and said media, wherein the MEA comprises an anode configured to receive a first gaseous reactant, a cathode configured to receive a second gaseous reactant, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between said anode and cathode. 2. The element of claim 1, wherein said surface of said media layer is a first surface and said media layer further comprises a second surface opposite to said first surface, wherein said second surface has one or more metallized regions and faces an electrically conductive impermeable separator plate that is arranged in contact therewith to form one or more electrically conductive pathways. 3. The element of claim 2, wherein said separator plate has regions of metal oxides formed along contact regions of a separator plate surface, wherein said contact regions correspond to said one or more electrically conductive pathways. 4. The element of claim 2, wherein said separator plate has a surface facing said media layer which is patterned with a plurality of grooves and lands, and wherein said lands are in contact with said one or more metallized regions of said second surface of said media layer. 5. The element of claim 4, wherein said media layer is compliant and compressible and conforms to said lands and grooves to minimize deformation of the MEA when compressive force is applied across said separator plate through said layer to the MEA. 6. The element of claim 1, wherein each of said metallized regions provides a reduced electrical resistivity through said respective electrically conductive paths as compared to a comparative non-metallized layer of microporous media. 7. The element of claim 1, wherein said one or more metallized regions have an ultra-thin thickness less than about 10 nm. 8. The element of claim 1, wherein said one or more metallized regions comprises an electrically conductive metal deposited on surfaces of pores of said microporous media in said metallized regions. 9. The element of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive particles of non-fibrous geometry of said microporous media comprise carbon particles that form a carbonized expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). 10. The element of claim 1, wherein said metallized regions comprise one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, Os, Ti, Cr, Sn, and Au. 11. The element of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive metal comprises Au. 12. A method of operating a fuel cell comprising: positioning an electrically conductive expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous distribution media comprising electrically conductive particles of non-fibrous geometry distributed therein between a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and an electrically conductive substrate, wherein said MEA comprises an anode receiving a first gaseous reactant comprising hydrogen, a cathode receiving a second gaseous reactant comprising oxygen, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between said anode and cathode, wherein said microporous media comprises a plurality of pores having an average pore size of less than or equal to about 2 nm and has a first surface confronting said MEA and a second surface confronting said conductive substrate; contacting one or more regions of said first surface with said MEA and one or more regions of said second surface with said substrate to form an electrically conductive path from said substrate through said microporous media to said MEA; and conducting electrons to or from said MEA via said path while operating the fuel cell. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said contacting is accomplished by compressive force imparted on the fuel cell in an assembled fuel cell stack. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein a surface of said conductive substrate facing said media is patterned with a plurality of grooves and lands, and wherein said contacting places said lands in contact with said one or more regions of said second surface of said media. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said distribution media is compliant and compressible, and after said contacting, said distribution media conforms to said lands and thereby minimizes permanent deformation of said MEA. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of said one or more regions of said first surface or of said second surface are ultra-thin metallized regions having a thickness of less than about 40 nm comprising an electrically conductive metal. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one or more regions comprises both of said one or more regions of said first surface and said one or more regions of said second surface. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein a reactant stream delivered to said MEA is not humidified or has a relative humidity of less than ambient. 19. A method for manufacturing an assembly for a fuel cell, comprising: depositing an electrically conductive metal on a surface of an electrically conductive microporous expanded-polytetrafluroethylene (ePTFE) media to form one or more metallized regions having an ultra-thin thickness of less than about 40 nm, wherein said microporous media comprises electrically conductive non-fibrous geometry carbon particles; positioning said surface having said metallized regions adjacent to an electrode of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising an anode electrode receiving a first gaseous reactant, a cathode electrode receiving a second gaseous reactant, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between said anode and cathode electrodes; and contacting said electrode with said surface having said metallized regions to form an electrically conductive path between a substrate and said microporous media. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said depositing is conducted by at least one process including electron beam evaporation, magnetron sputtering, plasma-assisted physical vapor deposition, electrolytic deposition, and electroless deposition. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein said electrically conductive metal is one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, Os, Ti, Cr, Sn, and Au. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein said electrically conductive metal comprises Au. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein said depositing is conducted to provide said ultra-thin thickness of less than or equal to 15 nm. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein said contacting is accomplished by compressive force imparted on the fuel cell in an assembled fuel cell stack.
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