CPC H01M 8/1027 (2013.01) [H01M 8/1004 (2013.01); H01M 8/1053 (2013.01); H01M 2008/1095 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |
1. A membrane electrode assembly, comprising:
a proton exchange membrane disposed between an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer; and
a cation-associating layer comprising a water-insoluble net polymer,
wherein the water-insoluble net polymer comprises a weakly-acidic functional group configured to preferentially associate with contaminant cations,
wherein the proton exchange membrane comprises a first ionomer,
wherein the weakly-acidic functional group comprises phosphonic acid, and
wherein the cation-associating layer is disposed in at least one of a portion of the cathode catalyst layer, a portion of a cathode microporous layer, or between the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode microporous layer.
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