Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Limited

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company

General Motors LLC

Adam John Hodgkinson

Hubert Gasteiger

Thomas Robertson Ralph

Jonathan David Brereton Sharman

Catherine Helen De Rouffignac

Silvain Buche

Susan Yan

Bhaskar Sompalli

Brian A Litteer

David Edward Barnwell

Peter Anthony Trew

Jonathan David Sharman

Susan G Yan

A membrane electrode assembly comprises an ion-conducting membrane; a first electrocatalyst layer having a surface facing the membrane; a first electronically-conducting porous gas diffusion substrate facing the other surface of the first electrocatalyst layer; and a first film member interposed between the membrane and the first electrocatalyst layer. The first electrocatalyst layer has an edge region and a central region, and the first film member contacts the edge region and not the central region. A first adhesive layer is present on the surface of the first film member facing the first electrocatalyst layer, and the first adhesive layer adheres the first film member to the first electrocatalyst layer, impregnates through the first electrocatalyst layer, and impregnates into the first gas diffusion substrate.

Membrane electrode assembly having an adhesive layer impregnating through an electrocatalyst layer and into a first gas diffusion substrate

A component for use in assembling a membrane electrode assembly comprises a microporous layer supported on a transfer substrate, wherein the microporous layer comprises carbon particles and a hydrophobic polymer, and a polymer layer is present on the microporous layer. A process for preparing a component for use in assembling a membrane electrode assembly includes forming the microporous layer on the transfer substrate and applying a polymer layer on the microporous layer. The microporous layer may also be deposited onto a gas diffusion substrate for use in the membrane electrode assembly.

Microporous Layer

A sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assembly is disclosed. Encapsulation films, each comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer, are positioned on the edges of at least one face of each gas diffusion substrate such that the adhesive layers impregnate into each gas diffusion substrate. Methods of forming sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also disclosed.

Sealing of a membrane electrode assembly

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Swindon, United Kingdom

Adam John Hodgkinson