Active mass connecting layer

Formation of the Active Mass Connecting Layer (AMCL)... 

Electrocatalysts One of the positive features of the supported electrocatalyst is that stable particle sizes in PAFCs and PEMFCs of the order of 2-3 nm can be achieved. These particles are in contact with the electrolyte, and since mass transport of the reactants occurs by spherical diffusion of low concentrations of the fuel-cell reactants (hydrogen and oxygen) through the electrolyte to the ultrafine electrocatalyst particles, the problems connected with diffusional limiting currents are minimized. There has to be good contact between the electrocatalyst particles and the carbon support to minimize ohmic losses and between the supported electrocatalysts and the electrolyte for the proton transport to the electrocatalyst particles and for the subsequent oxygen reduction reaction. This electrolyte network, in contact with the supported electrocatalyst in the active layer of the electrodes, has to be continuous up to the interface of the active layer with the electrolyte layer to minimize ohmic losses. 

One of the battery prototypes for electric vehicles had a volume of 3201 and mass of 820 kg. The positive electrode is manufactured from FeS with the addition of C0S2. A few layers of the active material alternating with graphitized fabric are placed into a basket of molybdenum mesh welded to the central molybdenum current collector. The positive electrode is wrapped into a two-layer separator. The inner layer consists of Zr02 fabric and the outer layer of BN fabric. The negative electrode consists of a lithium-silicon alloy in the porous nickel matrix. The container and the cover are manufactured from stainless steel and electrically connected to the negative electrode. The prototype was drained with current up to 50 A, and the specific power was as high as 53 W/kg (Martino FJ et al, 1978). 

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