Patent ID: 8283081

Claim:
Membrane-electrode assembly ( 14 ) for a fuel cell ( 10 ) with (a) a proton-conductive membrane ( 16 ), (b) two catalyst layers ( 20 a , 20 b ) adjoining both sides of the membrane ( 16 ), wherein the catalyst layers have an electrically conductive base material and at least one catalytic material deposited on the base material, and (c) two gas diffusion layers ( 22 a , 22 b ) adjoining the catalyst layers, wherein the membrane ( 16 ) and/or at least one of the two catalyst layers ( 20 a , 20 b ) and/or at least one of the two gas diffusion layers ( 22 a , 22 b ) adjoining the catalyst layers comprises at least one hydrogenatable material capable of binding hydrogen in a reversible exothermic hydrogenation operation by forming a hydride wherein the hydrogenatable material is distributed within the catalyst layer and/or within the gas diffusion layer and has a gradual or stepwise concentration gradient in the catalyst layer and/or in the gas diffusion layer.