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:
Jan. 01, 2013
Filed:
Jul. 13, 2011
Ralf Zuber, Grossostheim, DE;
Klaus Schaack, Obernburg, DE;
Sandra Wittpahl, Herzogenaurach, DE;
Holger Dziallas, Hanau, DE;
Peter Seipel, Alzenau, DE;
Pia Braun, Langenselbold, DE;
Lutz Rohland, Hanau-Grossauheim, DE;
Ralf Zuber, Grossostheim, DE;
Klaus Schaack, Obernburg, DE;
Sandra Wittpahl, Herzogenaurach, DE;
Holger Dziallas, Hanau, DE;
Peter Seipel, Alzenau, DE;
Pia Braun, Langenselbold, DE;
Lutz Rohland, Hanau-Grossauheim, DE;
Umicore AG & Co. KG, Hanau-Wolfgang, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane ('semi-coextensive design'). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products. Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.