Gas diffusion electrode with reduced diffusivity for water and method for operating a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell without supplying membrane dampening water

摘要

The invention relates to gas diffusion electrodes (1) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells which are modified in such a way that the diffusion of water therein is inhibited in comparison with unmodified electrodes. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with the modified gas diffusion electrodes can be operated without adding water under operating conditions which are constant on average since said gas diffusion electrodes only allow the water formed during the reaction of combustion gas and oxidizer to leak out and therefore guarantee sufficient membrane moisture.