Patent ID: 6194094
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A process for moistening a polymer electrolyte membrane of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, said fuel cell comprising (i) a polymer electrolyte membrane and (ii) arranged on opposing sides of said membrane, a positive electrode and a negative electrode each comprising a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer, said gas diffusion layer of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode comprising an electroconductive porous material comprising a fluororesin in an amount of from 16-55% by weight, said process comprising:(a) feeding unhumidified air or oxygen to said positive electrode;(b) feeding unhumidified hydrogen or reformed gas containing hydrogen to said negative electrode;(c) carrying out reaction (1) at said positive electrode:1/2O.sub.2 +2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.-.fwdarw.H.sub.2 O (1)and carrying out reaction (2) at said negative electrode:H.sub.2.fwdarw.2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- (2)so as to moisten said membrane with the water formed at said positive electrode.