公开(公告)号：US20190280307A1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-12

申请号：US15915846

申请日：2018-03-08

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Nagappan Ramaswamy ,  Timothy Fuller ,  Swaminatha Kumaraguru

IPC: H01M4/86 ,  H01M8/1018 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/1004 ,  H01M4/88 ,  H01M4/92

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes a proton-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer overlying a first face of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer overlying a second face of the polymer electrolyte membrane. At least one of the anode catalyst layer or the cathode catalyst layer includes a composite electrode layer that comprises a colloidal or soluble ionomer binder component, a catalyst dispersed along with the colloidal or soluble ionomer binder component, and insoluble ionomer nanofibers disseminated throughout a thickness of the composite electrode layer. The presence of the insoluble ionomer nanofibers within the composite electrode layer may enhance the voltage performance of the fuel cell, particularly at high current densities and/or low relative humidity operating conditions. A method of making a composite electrode layer for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.