Patent ID: 7704629
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A cathode electrode for use in a direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC), said cathode comprising a gas diffusion medium (GDM) including a backing layer and a microporous layer (MPL), said MPL comprising a fluoropolymer and an electrically conductive material, wherein: loading of said fluoropolymer in said MPL is in the range from about 30-40%, and wherein said backing layer comprises carbon paper or woven or non-woven cloth having a porosity greater than about 70% and fluoropolymer loading in the range from about 5 to about 30 wt. % and wherein, said MPL in said GDM has a thickness ranging from about 10 to about 50 μm and an average pore size between about 10 and about 500 nm, wherein loading of said carbon particles or nanofibers in said MPL in said GDM is in the range from about 0.5 to about 5 mg/cm wherein, said cathode further comprises a catalyst layer, and a hydrophobic MPL, and wherein, said catalyst layer, said hydrophobic MPL and said GDM are arranged in direct overlying sequence in the recited order.