Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A composition comprising (a) catalytically-active particles, (b) an organic compound having a pKa of at least about 18 and a basicity parameter, .beta., of less than 0.66, and (c) a polymeric binder. Also described is a process for preparing a membrane/electrode assembly, which comprises the sequential steps of (i) applying a layer of the composition of the invention to a solid polymer electrolyte, a carbon fiber paper, or a release substrate; (ii) heating the composition under conditions sufficient to volatilize at least 95 percent of component (b); and (iii) positioning the composition in contact with the solid polymer electrolyte, if the composition was not applied directly to the solid polymer electrolyte, forming the membrane/electrode assembly thereby. It has been discovered that the composition and process of the invention, when used to prepare a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having a solid polymer electrolyte, provides an MEA which provides a relatively high voltage at a given current density and gas flow rate in a fuel cell.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim