The present invention is an electrochemical reactor and a method of making it. The reactor includes an impermeable interconnect formed without a fluid dispersing element. The reactor also preferably includes an electrolyte and a fluid dispersing component disposed between the interconnect and the electrolyte. Preferably, the fluid dispersing component is formed with a plurality of shaped segments. Also, the fluid dispersing component is incorporated into either one or both of the anode or cathode.

Disclosed are a polymer ion exchange membrane having a self-hydration capability at a high temperature under low humidity, a method of preparing the polymer ion exchange membrane, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system including the polymer ion exchange membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymercoating layer, and has a nano-crack on the hydrophobic surface and thus may secure ion conductivity and self-hydration capability under low humidity and remarkably improve electrochemical performance of an electrolyte.

Disclosed are a polymer ion exchange membrane having a self-hydration capability at a high temperature under low humidity, a method of preparing the polymer ion exchange membrane, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system including the polymer ion exchange membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymercoating layer, and has a nano-crack on the hydrophobic surface and thus may secure ion conductivity and self-hydration capability under low humidity and remarkably improve electrochemical performance of an electrolyte.

In a power generating cell, on a surface on a side opposite from an electrolyte membrane in an anode, there are provided an outer peripheral surface positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the anode, a central surface located more inwardly than an inner peripheral portion of a resin frame member, and a stepped portion connecting the outer peripheral surface and the central surface to each other. A height of the central surface from the electrolyte membrane is lower than that of the outer peripheral surface. A protruding end surface of an end linear protrusion is in contact with the central surface.

The invention includes a reinforced membrane-seal assembly that comprises a reinforcing component, ion-conducting material, and seal material. The reinforcing component comprises a central region comprising a plurality of apertures extending from a first surface to a second surface of the reinforcing component, the central region having a first aperture area density; an inner peripheral border region surrounding the central region, where the inner peripheral border region is devoid of apertures; and an outer peripheral border region comprising a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface of the reinforcing component, the outer peripheral border region having a second aperture area density. The outer peripheral border region surrounds the inner peripheral border region. The ion-conducting material at least partially fills each aperture in the central region of the reinforcing component and seal material fills each aperture in the outer peripheral border region of the reinforcing component.

The invention includes a reinforced membrane-seal assembly that comprises a reinforcing component, ion-conducting material, and seal material. The reinforcing component comprises a central region comprising a plurality of apertures extending from a first surface to a second surface of the reinforcing component, the central region having a first aperture area density; an inner peripheral border region surrounding the central region, where the inner peripheral border region is devoid of apertures; and an outer peripheral border region comprising a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface of the reinforcing component, the outer peripheral border region having a second aperture area density. The outer peripheral border region surrounds the inner peripheral border region. The ion-conducting material at least partially fills each aperture in the central region of the reinforcing component and seal material fills each aperture in the outer peripheral border region of the reinforcing component.

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode includes a coaxial nanowire electrode. In some embodiments, the coaxial nanowire electrode comprises a plurality of ionomer nanowires, and a catalyst coating that coats at least part of the ionomer nanowires. Moreover, in some embodiments, a nanowire of the plurality of ionomer nanowires and a section of the catalyst coating that coats the nanowire form two coaxial cylinders.

The present specification provides a polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrode assembly including the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly.

The present specification provides a polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrode assembly including the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly.

The invention describes a membrane electrode assembly for use as a transport layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the assembly comprising a porous metal gas diffusion layer (GDL) (20) and a catalyst layer (40) with a microporous layer (MPL) (30) interposed between them, the MPL (30) being constructed to fill the pores of the GDL (20) and coat the surface thereof.