Membrane Electrode Assembly Has Stable Structure and Working Performance

The Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) is a combination of proton exchange membranes, catalysts and electrodes. On the anode side, a fuel (hydrogen, methanol, etc.) diffuses through the membrane and is met on the cathode end by an oxidant (oxygen or air) which bonds with the fuel and receives the electrons that were separated from the fuel. Catalysts on each side enable reactions and the membrane allows protons to pass through while keeping the gases separate. In this way cell potential is maintained and current is drawn from the cell producing electricity.

Membrane electrode assembly generally has three types: 3-layer MEA, 5-layer MEA, 7-layer MEA.

The following diagrams show some details and types of MEA:

MEAS-01: Membrane electrode assembly simple structure.

MEAS-02: A diagram of MEA types.

3 Layer MEA:

• An active layer with a Pt catalyst loading is applied to both the anode and the cathode side of an electrolyte PEM membrane.
• 5 standard sizes: 5 cm², 16 cm², 25 cm², 50 cm² or 100 cm² active surface areas.
• Membrane thickness: 50 µm.
• Catalyst: 70% Pt/C.

5-Layer MEA:

• It includes two catalyst layers, a PEM, two gas diffusion layers.
• 5 standard sizes are available: 5 cm², 16 cm², 25 cm², 50 cm² or 100 cm² active surface areas.
• Also it is available with a sub-gasket option.
• Membrane thickness: 50 µm.
• Catalyst: 70% Pt/C.
• Non-woven Gas Diffusion Layers with microporous layer.

7-Layer MEA:

• It includes two catalyst layers, a PEM, two gas diffusion layers and 2 gaskets.
• 4 standard sizes: 5 cm², 16 cm², 25 cm² or 50 cm² active surface areas.
• Membrane thickness: 50 µm.
• Catalyst: 70% Pt/C.
• Non-woven Gas Diffusion Layers with microporous layer and reinforced silicone flat gasket.

The following curves graphs show performance and parameters of MEA.

MEAS-03: The diagram of operation temperature effects on the MEA performance shows the suitable operation temperature is 70°C.

MEAS-04: The diagram shows the relationship of MEA voltage, current density, power density.