The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 12, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 18, 2007
Hiroshi Suzuki, Aichi, JP;
Hiroshi Suzuki, Aichi, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken, JP;
Abstract
According to the present invention, an electrolyte membrane having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. In addition, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the electrolyte membrane, in which the effective contact area between the electrolyte membrane surface and an electrode catalyst layer is increased, is obtained. An electrolyte membranewhich comprises a fluorine-based electrolyte is heated and pressed with the use of platesandeach having recesses and projectionson the surface thereof such that recesses and projectionsandare formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane. Thereafter, the electrolyte membraneis subjected to a treatment for imparting ion exchange properties to an electrolyte polymer, such as hydrolysis, such that an electrolyte membranehaving recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. Electrode catalyst layersandare separately laminated on the both surfaces of the electrolyte membranesuch that a membrane-electrode assemblyis obtained.