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Abstract

The solid polymer fuel cell (SPFC), also known as the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE.RTM.) fuel cell, sold by Hamilton Standard, a Division of United Technologies Corporation, of Hartford, Conn., needs simplification for the fuel to become commercially viable. A simplified design is thus sought that would avoid prior humidification of reactants and the membrane, i.e., the electrolyte. A proton conducting material, such as perfluorocarbon copolymer, is deposited as the electrolyte on top of the catalytic side of the porous gas diffusion electrodes acting as anode and cathode. With sufficient deposits on both electrodes, it is then possible to avoid the use of electrolyte membrane which is used in the state-of-the-art solid polymer fuel cell design. The system operates at near ambient temperatures, pressures and at near stoichiometric reactant flows without requiring extra humidification of the reactant gases and the electrolyte.

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First Claim