RELIABLE FUEL CELL ELECTRODE DESIGN

摘要

The present invention generally relates to the creation of fuel cell components and the method of forming the various fuel cell components that have an improved lifetime, lower production cost and improved process performance. The invention generally includes treating or conditioning a substrate surface by depositing a material layer, or layers, having good adhesion to the substrate, low electrical resistivity (high conductivity) and has good resistance to chemical attack during the operation of fuel cell. The substrate may be, for example, a fuel cell part, a conductive plate, a separator plate, a bipolar plate or an end plate, among others. In one embodiment, the substrate surface is treated or conditioned by exposing at least a portion of it to a gas or liquid comprising ruthenium tetroxide.