FUEL-CELL MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC H01M8/04 

FIELD: electrical engineering; membrane-electrode assemblies for fuel cells.

SUBSTANCE: proposed fuel-cell membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) has electrolyte and gas-diffusion layers; MEA is built around monolithic three-layer gradient-pore structure whose central layer is made of nonconducting porous material with its pores filled with ion-conducting electrolyte; MEA external gas-diffusion layers are made of electricity-conducting porous material whose pores incorporate catalyst in vicinity of contact with central layer. MEA central layer can be 50 to 150 μm thick at porosity of 60 - 90 % and mean pose size of 1 to 10 μm; thickness of external gas-diffusion layers can be 150 to 300 μm at porosity of 50 to 60 % and mean pore size of 10 to 50 μm, pore size of external layers reducing toward central layer. Proton- or anion-conducting electrolyte can be used as ion-conducting electrolyte. MEA central porous layer can be made of ceramics and/or glass. MEA external layers can be made of carbon or metal.

EFFECT: reduced resistance.

6 cl, 1 dwg