Commissariat a L'energie Atomique

Commissariat &#xc0; L'&#xc9;nergie Atomique Et Aux &#xc9;nergies Alternatives

Christel Roux

Didier Marsacq

Christine Nayoze

Jean-Yves Laurent

Alejandro Franco

Max Perrin

Françis Cardot

Emmanuel Damery

John A Brunea

An alkali fuel cell comprises a solid stack consisting of a first electrode, a solid membrane conducting hydroxide ions and a second electrode, each electrode comprising an active layer that is in contact with the solid membrane. The material forming the active layer of each electrode comprises at least a catalytic element, an electronic conductive element and an element conducting hydroxide ions. The element conducting hydroxide ions is a polymer having vinylaromatic units comprising a quaternary ammonium function and a hydroxide ion OHis associated with each quaternary ammonium function. One such alkali fuel cell is unaffected by carbonation and maintains good electrochemical performances.

Alkali fuel cell unaffected by carbonation

The fuel cell, generating electric power from oxygen and hydrogen ions and comprising an anode (A), a magnetic cathode, comprising an active layer (),and a proton electrolyte () between the anode and the cathode, comprises a network () of permanent magnets () designed to increase the diffusion of oxygen in the active layer. The centers of the magnets () of the network () of permanent magnets are preferably arranged with a two-dimensional distribution in a plane arranged at the interface between the electrolyte () and the active layer (), the magnets being magnetized in parallel manner along the axis perpendicular to this plane. In this way, all the poles of one polarity (S) are surrounded by the active layer (), all the poles of opposite polarity (N) being surrounded by the electrolyte ().

Fuel cell comprising a magnetic cathode with static pumping

The invention relates to a fuel cell with a stack comprising an electrolytic membrane (), with front and rear faces () on which first and second current collectors () are respectively arranged, each comprising a metallic deposit and provided with a number of transverse passages. First and second electrodes () are respectively arranged on the first and second current collectors () such as to come into direct contact with the electrolytic membrane ().

Fuel cell comprising current collectors integrated in the electrode-membrane-electrode stack

The PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) type basic fuel cell element has a high efficient when only the protons migrate towards the cathode, excluding any other species that could react with the cathode. It is composed mainly of a silicon substrate () crossed by pipes (), terminating on the bottom of a dish. The cathode () is deposited on the bottom of this dish, covered by a first layer of electrolyte (). An internal part () of the anode is embedded between two layers () of electrolyte, while an external part () is placed on the upper part of it. The internal part () is preferably a grid or a foam such that fuel migrating towards the cathode can be consumed and protons can pass through.

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Saint Quentin sur Isere, France

Christel Roux