Ronald R Reid

US Patent:

20060183006, Aug 17, 2006

Filed:

Feb 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/055993

Inventors:

Wen Liu - Newark DE, US
William Johnson - Newark DE, US
Simon Cleghorn - Newark DE, US
Ronald Reid - North East MD, US

International Classification:

H01M 8/00
H01M 8/10

US Classification:

429013000, 429033000, 429030000

Abstract:

The invention is a method of reducing catalyst dissolution in the cathode of a membrane electrode assembly fuel cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode; (b) assembling a fuel cell using said membrane electrode assembly; (c) applying a fluid comprising an oxidant to said cathode of said membrane electrode assembly; (d) applying a fluid comprising a fuel to said anode of said membrane electrode assembly; and (e) supplying a sufficient quantity of reducing agent to said cathode to maintain the average open-circuit voltage of said cathode at less than about 0.98 V.