Fuel cell cathode and fuel cell system including a polymeric additive
A cathode configured for use within a fuel cell system is provided. The cathode includes a cathode substrate. The cathode further includes a coating disposed upon the cathode substrate and including a fluorocarbon polymer additive configured for sintering at a temperature of less than 200° C. The fluorocarbon polymer additive may be mixed with a catalyst ink coating or may be applied separately as a topcoat layer.
1. A cathode configured for use within a fuel cell system, the cathode comprising:
a cathode substrate; and
a coating disposed upon the cathode substrate including a fluorocarbon polymer additive configured for sintering at a temperature of less than 200° C., wherein the cathode includes a catalyst ink, and wherein:
the coating includes a first coating configured as a topcoat layer, the cathode further comprises a second coating that includes the catalyst ink, and the second coating is disposed between the cathode substrate and the first coating.
2. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is configured for sintering at less than 150° C.
3. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is an amorphous polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer with fluorinated alicyclic monomers.
4. The cathode of claim 3 , wherein the amorphous polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer with the fluorinated alicyclic monomers is selected from the group consisting of tetrafluoroethylene, 4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3dioxole, and 2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3 dioxole.
5. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a functionalized perfluoropolyether.
6. The cathode of claim 5 , wherein the functionalized perfluoropolyether is selected from the group consisting of a triethoxysilane terminated bifunctional perfluoropolyether; a diphosphate derivative based on a linear perfluoropolyether backbone; and a waterborne dispersion of an anionic polyurethane based on a perfluoropolyether backbone.
7. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a polyvinylidene fluoride semicrystalline copolymer.
8. The cathode of claim 7 , wherein the polyvinylidene fluoride semicrystalline copolymer is selected from the group consisting of a vinylidene fluoride, a polyvinylidene fluoride: hexafluoro propylene copolymer latex, and a semicrystalline polyvinylidene fluoride: tetrafluoroethylene copolymer.
9. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is configured for sintering at less than 150° C. and the fluorocarbon polymer additive is an amorphous polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer with fluorinated alicyclic monomers.
10. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is configured for sintering at less than 150° C. and the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a functionalized perfluoropolyether.
11. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is configured for sintering at less than 150° C. and the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a polyvinylidene fluoride semicrystalline copolymer.
12. A fuel cell system comprising:
an anode;
a cathode including:
a cathode substrate; and
a coating disposed upon the cathode substrate and including a fluorocarbon polymer additive configured for sintering at a temperature of less than 200° C., wherein the cathode includes a catalyst ink, and wherein:
the coating includes a first coating configured as a topcoat layer, the cathode further comprises a second coating that includes the catalyst ink, and the second coating is disposed between the cathode substrate and the first coating; and
a fuel cell membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.
13. The fuel cell system of claim 12 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is configured for sintering at less than 150° C.
14. The fuel cell system of claim 12 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is an amorphous polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer with fluorinated alicyclic monomers.
15. The fuel cell system of claim 12 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a functionalized perfluoropolyether.
16. The fuel cell system of claim 12 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a polyvinylidene fluoride semicrystalline copolymer.
17. A vehicle comprising:
a powertrain system; and
a fuel cell system configured for providing electrical energy to the powertrain system, the fuel cell system including:
an anode;
a cathode including:
a cathode substrate; and
a coating disposed upon the cathode substrate and including a fluorocarbon polymer additive configured for sintering at a temperature of less than 200° C., wherein the cathode includes a catalyst ink, and wherein:
the coating includes a first coating configured as a topcoat layer, the cathode further comprises a second coating that includes the catalyst ink, and the second coating is disposed between the cathode substrate and the first coating; and
a fuel cell membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.
18. The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is an amorphous polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer with fluorinated alicyclic monomers.
19. The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a functionalized perfluoropolyether.
20. The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the fluorocarbon polymer additive is a polyvinylidene fluoride semicrystalline copolymer.