Membrane/electrode assembly for an electrolysis device

Abstract

A membrane-electrode assembly for an electrolysis device includes a proton-exchange membrane, an anode and a cathode disposed on either side of the proton-exchange membrane, a first conductive catalyst disposed within the proton-exchange membrane, and a first conductive junction linking the first conductive catalyst and the cathode. The first conductive junction has an electrical resistance greater than a proton resistance of the membrane between the first conductive catalyst and the cathode.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising a membrane-electrode assembly for an electrolysis device, said membrane-electrode assembly comprising a proton-exchange membrane, an anode and a cathode disposed on either side of said proton-exchange membrane, a first conductive catalyst disposed within said proton-exchange membrane, and a first conductive junction linking said first conductive catalyst and said cathode, said first conductive junction having an electrical resistance greater than a proton resistance of said membrane between said first conductive catalyst and said cathode. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said electrical resistance of said first conductive junction is at least twenty times greater than a proton resistance between said first conductive catalyst and said cathode. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first conductive junction forms a peripheral frame maintaining said proton-exchange membrane in position. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first conductive junction comprises a structural part having electrical resistivity at 293.15K greater than 20 μΩ·cm. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first conductive catalyst is selected to be is capable of oxidizing molecular hydrogen. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said first conductive catalyst comprises titanium fixed on a conductive graphite support, said conductive graphite support being fixed to a first layer of said proton-exchange membrane fixedly attached to said cathode and to a second layer of said proton-exchange membrane fixedly attached to said anode. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a proton resistance of said first layer is lower than a proton resistance of said second layer. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said proton-exchange membrane comprises first, second and third proton-exchange layers, said cathode being fixed to said first proton-exchange layer, and said anode being fixed to said third proton-exchange layer, wherein said first conductive catalyst is disposed between said first and second proton-exchange layers, wherein said membrane-electrode assembly further comprises a second catalyst disposed between said second and third proton-exchange layers, and a second conductive junction connecting said second catalyst and said anode. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an electrical power supply configured to apply a difference in potential between said anode and said cathode of said membrane-electrode assembly, said difference in potential being selected for hydrolyzing water in contact with said anode. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein a resistance of said junction between said catalyst and said cathode is configured in such a way that said voltage of said catalyst is below 0.8V (RHE).