Claims
- 1. A method of forming an electrode backing layer for an electrochemical MEA comprising the steps of:(a) forming a polymeric film comprising a crystallizable polyolefin polymer matrix, conductive particles and a diluent for said polymer; (b) applying surface texture to said polymeric film; and (c) removing said oil before or after applying said surface texture.
- 2. A method of forming an electrochemical MEA comprising the step of placing an electrode backing layer on both sides of a polymeric ion conductive membrane, said electrode backing layers each comprising a gas permeable, electrically conductive porous film prepared according to a method comprising the step of heating a porous, polmer film comprising a polymer matrix and about 45 to about 98 percent by weight electrically conductive particles to a temperature within 20° C. of the melting point of said polymer matrix for sufficient time to decrease the Gurley value of said film by at least about 25 percent and decrease the electrical resistivity of said film by at least about 25 percent while substantially maintaining the physical integrity and mechanical properties of said film upon cooling; wherein a catalyst layer is disposed between each of said ion conductive membrane and said electrode backing layers.
- 3. A method of forming an electrochemical MEA comprising the step of placing an electrode backing layer on both sides of a polymeric ion conductive membrane; said electrode backing layers each comprising a gas permeable, electrically conductive porous fibrillated PTFE film and conductive particles embedded in said film, wherein a catalyst layer is disposed between each of said ion conductive membrane and said electrode backing layers.
Parent Case Info
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/208,695 filed Dec. 10, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,668 which is a divisional U.S. application Ser. No. 08/948,627, filed on Oct. 10, 1997, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,378.
US Referenced Citations (46)
Foreign Referenced Citations (9)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1299936 |
May 1992 |
CA |
0 577 291 |
Jan 1994 |
EP |
0 687 023 |
Dec 1995 |
EP |
WO 9723919 |
Jul 1997 |
EP |
0 869 568 |
Oct 1998 |
EP |
1100497 |
Jan 1958 |
GB |
HEI-SEI 6-68157 |
Aug 1994 |
JP |
WO 9506002 |
Feb 1995 |
WO |
WO 9720358 |
Jun 1997 |
WO |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (6)
Entry |
Acc. No. 88-144518/21 (Derwent Abstract). |
Acc. No. 88-311503/44 (Derwent Abstract). |
Acc. No. 88-317781/45 (Derwent Abstract). |
Acc. No. 95-188591/25 (Derwent Abstract). |
Acc. No. 95-218572/29 (Derwent Abstract). |
Acc. No. 96-005215/01 (Derwent Abstract). |