Disclosed herein are catalytic proton transport membranes and methods of making an use thereof. The catalytic proton transport membranes comprising a two-dimensional (2D) material having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface further comprises a catalytic material deposited thereon, wherein the membrane allows for proton transport through the membrane.

Disclosed are a mixed catalyst, a method for preparing same, a method for forming an electrode by using same, and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising same, the mixed catalyst having uniform physical features within a predetermined range, which are suitable for the manufacture of an electrode and membrane-electrode assembly having desired performance and durability. The mixed catalyst comprises: a first catalyst, which includes a first support and first catalyst metal particles distributed on the first support, and has a first BET surface area and a first total pore volume; and a second catalyst, which includes a second support and second catalyst metal particles distributed on the second support, and has a second BET surface area different from the first BET surface area and a second total pore volume different from the first total pore volume.

The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells having improved chemical durability and a method of manufacturing the same. Specifically, the method includes preparing a polymer film, depositing catalyst metal on one surface or opposite surfaces of the polymer film to obtain a reinforcement layer, and impregnating the reinforcement layer with an ionomer to obtain an electrolyte membrane.

A manufacturing process includes: depositing a first catalyst on a first gas diffusion layer (GDL) to form a first catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a first ionomer on the first catalyst-coated GDL to form a first gas diffusion electrode (GDE); depositing a second catalyst on a second GDL to form a second catalyst-coated GDL; depositing a second ionomer on the second catalyst-coated GDL to form a second GDE; and laminating the first GDE with the second GDE and with an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDE and the second GDE to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). A MEA includes a first GDL; a second GDL; an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first GDL and the second GDL; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first GDL and the electrolyte membrane; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second GDL and the electrolyte membrane, wherein a thickness of the electrolyte membrane is about 15 μm or less.

Methods and compositions for making fuel cell components are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a substrate, and forming or adhering an electrode on the substrate, wherein the forming includes depositing an aqueous mixture comprising water, a water-insoluble component, a catalyst, and an ionomer. The water-insoluble component comprises a water-insoluble alcohol, a water-insoluble carboxylic acid, or a combination thereof. The use of such water-insoluble components results in a stable liquid medium with reduced reticulation upon drying, reduced dissolution of the substrate, and reduced penetration of the pores of the substrate.

The present invention provides a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell, comprising a gas diffusion layer, a microporous layer, a catalytic layer, and an electrolyte membrane that are sequentially stacked. In the direction of an air flow path, the thickness of the microporous layer decreases progressively, the thickness of the catalytic layer increases progressively, and the total thickness of the microporous layer and the catalytic layer keeps consistent. The present application also provides a preparation method for the membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell provided in the present application can balance water content of a gas inlet area and a gas outlet area of the fuel cell, and finally improves the stability of the fuel cell at different temperatures and humidity levels, thereby implementing functions such as improving the durability and decreasing a catalyst load.

The present specification relates to a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly and a laminate. Specifically, the present specification relates to a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane provided between the anode and the cathode, and a laminate which is an intermediate laminated during the manufacture of the membrane electrode assembly.

A low-cost gas diffusion electrode is described that overcomes defects of conventional techniques, that achieves both dry-up resistance and flooding resistance, and that has satisfactory power generation performance, where the gas diffusion electrode includes a conductive porous substrate, and a microporous layer containing conductive fine particles and provided on at least one surface of the conductive porous substrate. The gas diffusion electrode has, based on the number of fine pores having an area of 0.25 μm.sup.2 or more that are observed in a cross section of the microporous layer in a thickness direction, a percentage of fine pores having a circularity of 0.5 or more of 50% or more and 100% or less.

Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.

Systems, methods, fuel cells, and mixtures to inhibit ionomer permeation into porous substrates using a crosslinked ionomer are described. A method includes preparing an ionomer premix, mixing a crosslinking additive with the ionomer premix to thereby form a crosslinked-ionomer solution, and adding catalyst particles to the crosslinked-ionomer solution to produce a catalyst ink. The ionomer premix includes an ionomer dispersed within a solvent. The catalyst ink includes the catalyst particles distributed homogenously therethrough. The catalyst ink may be cast onto a porous substrate and dried to thereby form a catalyst layer for use in a fuel cell.