Ballard Power Systems Corporation

Bdf IP Holdings Ltd.

Gordon, John Robert

Haas, Herwig Robert

Stumper, Jurgen

Fong, Kelvin Keen-ven

Kelvin Keen-Ven Fong

John Robert Gordon

David P Wilkinson

Herwig Haas

Michael T Davis

Haijiang Wang

J&uuml;rgen Stumper

Lynn C Erickson

Bien Hung Chiem

Paul Beattie

Sheilah Neumann

Paul Kozak

Sonia Geillis Wong-Cheung

Michael Todd Davis

Bien Chiem

Paul D Beattie

Herwig Robert Haas

Jurgen Stumper

The present methods make fluid diffusion layers having reduced surface roughness. The methods used for adhering the loading material to the substrate surface can reduce the average surface roughness of the fluid diffusion layers, thereby reducing leaks in and damage to ion exchange membranes. When fluid diffusion layers and electrodes having reduced surface roughness are employed in membrane electrode assemblies, better reliability and performance are obtained. A method of calculating the surface roughness of a fluid diffusion layer may be used.

Method of making fluid diffusion layers and electrodes having reduced surface roughness

Fluid diffusion layers with favorable mechanical and electrical properties are prepared for fuel cell electrodes by impregnating a porous carbonaceous web with a carbonizable polymer having pyrrolidone functionality and then carbonizing the pyrrolidone polymer. The polymer having pyrrolidone functionality is stabilized against vaporization by use of an oxidization step prior to carbonization. The fluid diffusion layers are particularly suitable for use as gas diffusion layers in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Fluid diffusion layers for fuel cells

Growing community of inventors

Burnaby, Canada

Kelvin Keen-Ven Fong