Ford Motor Company Limited

Daimler Ag

Francine Berretta

Joy A Roberts

Herwig Haas

Amy Shun-Wen Yang

Stephen J Lee

Stanley Tam

Yvonne Hsieh

Guy Pepin

Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal along with its performance. It was shown that these adverse affects can be mitigated against in certain ways. However, improved results can be obtained by employing a selectively conducting component which comprises a mixed layer of a selectively conducting material and carbon. The mixed layer contacts the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte.

Fuel cell with selectively conducting anode

The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.

Durable fuel cell with platinum cobalt alloy cathode catalyst and selectively conducting anode

By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.

Fuel cell with selectively conducting anode component

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Vancouver, Canada

Francine Berretta