CN1906787A

CN1906787A - Solid polymer membrane fuel cell manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: CN1906787A
Application number: CNA2004800405765A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 藤木章; 前川幸广; 清水健; 平尾隆行; 岩本雅则; 三木贞雄; 铃木晴彦; 斋藤宽
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-28
Filing date: 2004-12-28
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Also published as: WO2005074061A1; KR20070001104A; KR100737660B1; DE112004002695T5; JP2005216598A

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a solid polymer membrane fuel cell in which a first gas-diffusing layer (6A) and a first separator (7A) are formed on one side of a membrane electrode composite body (9) and a second gas-diffusing layer (6B) and a second separator (7B) are formed on the other. An adhesive is applied to the contact surfaces of the first separator (7A) and the first gas-diffusing layer (6A), and an adhesive is applied to the contact surfaces of the second separator (7B) and the second gas-diffusing layer (6B). The first separator (7A), the first gas-diffusing layer (6A), the membrane electrode composite body (9), the second gas-diffusing layer (6B), and the second separator (7B) are stacked in order of mention between a pair of pressing jigs (113, 123). While the first and second separators (7A, 7B) are being compressed by means of the pressing jigs (113, 123), they are heated, thus manufacturing a one-piece fuel cell.

Description

The manufacture method of solid polymer membrane fuel cell

Technical field

The present invention relates to the manufacture method of solid polymer membrane fuel cell.

Background technology

A kind of manufacture method of solid polymer membrane fuel cell is disclosed among the JP2001-236971A of Japan's special permission Room calendar year 2001 distribution.

According to this manufacture method,, obtain membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) at first at two surface applied catalyst of solid polymer membrane and make its drying.On the other hand, go up the coating electrolyte solution, with two GDL clamping membrane-electrode assemblies, make it integrated, so that applicator surface contacts with MEA by the hot pressing roller at pre-prepd two gas diffusion layers (GDL).These integrated parts that form are called Unit the 1st.

On the other hand, respectively at two dividing plate joint unit frames, and with the hot pressing roller to its heating and pressurizing, thereby form two the 2nd unit.

At last, with two the 2nd unit clamping Unit the 1st, and carry out heating and pressurizing, thereby finish solid polymer membrane fuel cell with the hot pressing roller.

Summary of the invention

According to conventional art, owing to making the integrated operation that obtains Unit the 1st of gas diffusion layers and membrane-electrode assembly in order, making Unit the 1st and the 2nd unit integral obtain the operation of solid polymer membrane fuel cell, so manufacturing process is elongated.

Therefore, the objective of the invention is to shorten the manufacturing process of solid polymer membrane fuel cell.

In order to realize the above object, the invention provides a kind of manufacture method of solid polymer membrane fuel cell, this solid polymer membrane fuel cell comprises: solid polymer membrane, be layered in a surface of solid polymer membrane the 1st gas diffusion layers and the 1st dividing plate, be layered in the 2nd gas diffusion layers and the 2nd dividing plate on another surface of solid polymer membrane.

The manufacture method of this solid polymer membrane fuel cell is to obtain fuel cell like this: at the 1st dividing plate and contact-making surface adhesive-applying the 1st gas diffusion layers; At the 2nd dividing plate and contact-making surface adhesive-applying the 2nd gas diffusion layers; Between a pair of compressing fixture according to record order overlay configuration the 1st dividing plate, the 1st gas diffusion layers, solid polymer membrane, the 2nd gas diffusion layers and the 2nd dividing plate; By the 1st dividing plate and the 2nd dividing plate being heated while pressurizeing, thereby obtain incorporate fuel cell with compressing fixture.

Details of the present invention and other features or advantage illustrate in the later record of specification and specification, and expression in the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the summary pie graph of manufacturing installation of the manufacturing process of explanation solid polymer membrane fuel cell of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the approximate vertical view of explanation to the feed mechanism of the structure of manufacturing installation supply dividing plate.

Fig. 3 is the summary pie graph of the manufacturing installation of explanation hot pressing process of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the decomposition longitudinal section of solid polymer membrane fuel cell and compressing fixture.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4, but expression is about another embodiment of compressing fixture.

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 4, but expression is about an embodiment again of compressing fixture.

Embodiment

With reference to Fig. 3, solid polymer membrane fuel cell is by using a pair of

compressing fixture

113 and 123, makes film electrode composite element (MEA) the 9, the 1st gas diffusion layers (GDL) 6A, the 2nd gas diffusion layers (GDL) 6B, the 1st dividing plate 7A and the 2nd dividing plate 7B integrated and make.MEA9,

gas diffusion layers

6A, 6B, dividing

plate

7A, 7B have the flat shape of rectangle.

MEA9 has formed the 1st catalyst layer 8A at certain intervals on two surfaces by perfluorinated sulfonic acid ethyl ester (Perfluoro ethylene sulfonicacid) the film formed solid polymer membrane 5 of resin and the 2nd catalyst layer 8B forms.

Catalyst layer

8A, 8B form by the electrolyte solution that comprises as the platinum of catalyst in solid polymer membrane 5 coating in advance.

Catalyst layer among catalyst layer 8A, the 8B constitutes the anode of fuel cell, and another catalyst layer constitutes the negative electrode of fuel cell.The 1st catalyst layer 8A, 1GDL6A and the 1st dividing plate 7A are disposed at the below of solid polymer membrane 5, and the 2nd catalyst layer 8B, 2GDL6B and the 2nd dividing plate 7B are disposed at the below of solid polymer membrane 5.Compressing fixture 123 is from below and the 1st dividing plate 7A butt, and compressing fixture 113 is from top and the 2nd dividing plate 7B butt.

As shown in Figure 1, MEA9 is supplied to as scroll 100.For

guard catalyst layer

8A, 8B, MEA9 is rolled into scroll with the state by the diaphragm covering surfaces.

GDL6A, 6B carry out water-proofing treatment to carbon cloth or carbon paper and form, and have the anodic gas supplied with from dividing

plate

7A, 7B and the cathode gas effect towards

catalyst layer

8A, 8B scattering and permeating that makes.GDL6A, 6B supply with the state of the inboard that is installed on the framework 6C that is made of electrical insulating material respectively in advance.

The 1st dividing plate 7A has the gas passage 7C of groove shape on the surface towards 1GDL6A.In order to stop gas leakage, on the 1st dividing plate 7A, become to have to fill the seal groove 7E of the gasket seal 10 of sealing usefulness along peripheral shape from gas passage 7C.In addition, be formed with the coolant channels 7D of filling slot shape and the seal groove 7E of the gasket seal 10 of sealing usefulness on another surface of the 1st dividing plate 7A.

The 2nd dividing plate 7B has the gas passage 7C of groove shape on the surface towards 2GDL6B.In order to stop gas leakage, on the 2nd dividing plate 7A, become to have to fill the seal groove 7E of the gasket seal 10 of sealing usefulness along peripheral shape from gas passage 7C.The another side of the 2nd dividing plate 7B forms the plane.

The coolant channels 7D of the 1st dividing plate 7A depends on the specification of the fuel cell of manufacturing, might not form.At this moment, can make the 1st dividing plate 7A and the 2nd dividing plate 7B is same size.The specification of fuel cell also can form the gas passage that other adjacent fuel cells are used when stacked, replaces coolant channels 7D.

Mixing graphite powder and molding powder, and by by the heating and pressurizing of metal die it being carried out press molding, thereby dividing

plate

7A, 7B formed.Perhaps also can carry out press molding and form dividing plate exfoliated graphite sheet.Can also use metal to form dividing plate.

The characteristic of desirable dividing

plate

7A, 7B is that resistance is little, gas permeability is low.And in order to reduce the thickness of dividing

plate

7A, 7B, preferably its mechanical strength is good.Metal dividing plate can satisfy these requirements, but owing to dividing

plate

7A, 7B are exposed in oxidizing atmosphere and these two kinds of atmosphere of reducing atmosphere, so preferably use corrosion-resistant metal, or implement the surface treatment of metal plating.

With reference to Fig. 1, the present invention uses the forcing press 101 with compressing

fixture

113 and 123, MEA1 and GDL6A, 6B and dividing

plate

7A, 7B that assembling constitutes as described above.

MEA9 is carried from scroll 100 along general horizontal direction towards forcing press 101 by the conveying mechanism that is made of conveying roller 102, conveyer belt 103 and distributing roller 104.The both sides that are preferably in MEA9 form sprocket hole with constant interval, form the projection that combines with sprocket hole at interval with angle same at conveying roller 102 and distributing roller 104.By such formation, can prevent MEA9 relaxing in the conveying way, be consistent the each well certain-length ground of ground, precision at interval to forcing press 101 supply MEA9 with the formation of catalyst layer 8.In addition, be preferably in MEA9 and go up the mark mark corresponding with the position of

catalyst layer

8A, 8B, the transducer of mark is read in configuration on forcing press 101.Mark according to transducer reads carries out sending of MEA9, thereby can correctly be configured in

catalyst layer

8A, 8B the job position of regulation in the forcing press 101.

Cover the diaphragm on the surface of MEA9,, batch by diaphragm takers-in 105 when scroll 100 is sent MEA1.

The conveying mechanism of 1GDL6A by being made of conveying roller 106A, conveyer belt 107 and distributing roller 108 by the below of MEA9, is fed into forcing press 101.2GDL6B by the top of MEA9, is fed into forcing press 101 by the conveying mechanism of identical formation.

The initial position of the conveying of 1GDL6A and 2GDL6B is respectively the position across conveying roller 106 and conveyer belt 107.GDL6A, 6B are undertaken by feed mechanism shown in Figure 2 200 to the input of these two initial positions.

With reference to Fig. 2, feed mechanism 200 is configured in the side of conveying roller 106 and conveyer belt 107.Feed mechanism 200 has input table 201 and manipulator 203.Manipulator 203 has rotary machinery arm 202.The GDL6A, the 6B that are input on the input table 201 are controlled by rotary machinery arm 202, are arranged on desirable position.Manipulator 203 adopts the structure that can be arranged on GDL6A, 6B these two positions of initial position of the initial position of 1GDL6A of MEA1 and 2GDL6B.

Refer again to Fig. 1, the 1st dividing plate 7A is sent to forcing press 101 by the conveying mechanism that is made of conveying roller 109, conveyer belt 110, distributing roller 111.The 2nd dividing plate 7B is also sent to forcing press 101 by another conveying mechanism of identical formation.

The conveying mechanism of the 1st dividing plate 7A is configured in the more below of the conveying mechanism of 1GDL6A.The conveying mechanism of the 2nd dividing plate 7B is configured in the more top of the conveying mechanism of 2GDL6B.

The initial position of the conveying of the 1st dividing plate 7A and the 2nd dividing plate 7B is respectively the position across conveying roller 109 and conveyer belt 110.Dividing

plate

7A, 7B are undertaken by the feed mechanism that the feed mechanism with GDL6A, 6B constitutes equally to the input of these two initial positions.The feed mechanism of dividing

plate

7A, 7B preferably across conveying mechanism, is configured in a side opposite with the feed mechanism of GDL6A, 6B in order not interfere with the feed mechanism of GDL6A, 6B.

By above formation, successively the 1st dividing plate 7A, 1GDL6A, MEA9,2GDL6B and the 2nd dividing plate 7B are supplied to forcing press 101.

Forcing press 101 is made of lifting platform 112, side's fixed thereon supporting tool 120.

Lifting platform 112 has mounting the 1st dividing plate 7A, 1GD L6A, MEA9,2GDL6B and the compressing fixture 113 of the 2nd dividing plate 7B, the vertical axis 113A of support compression anchor clamps 113.Be formed with tooth bar 114 at axle 113A.Lifting platform 112 also has and the pinion 115 of tooth bar 114 engagements, the servomotor 116 of driving pinion 115 rotations, the bearing that moves up and down 117 of leading axle 113A.In compressing fixture 113, be built-in with heater 118.

Supporting tool 120 has the compressing fixture 123 of the member of formation of the fuel cell that is lifted towards lower support lifting platform 112.Bury heater 121 underground at compressing fixture 123.With respect to the throughput direction of MEA9, a pair of cutter 122 that is used to cut off MEA9 is installed at the front surface and the back side of supporting tool 120.

Then, the hot pressing process that explanation is undertaken by forcing press 101 with reference to Fig. 3.

Two GDL6A and 6B with the MEA9 facing surfaces, apply the bonding agent of the heat reactive resin that comprises phenolic aldehyde system or epoxy system in advance respectively at limited assigned position.The feed mechanism 200 that is coated in of bonding agent carries out, and perhaps carries out in the course of conveying of the GDL6A that is undertaken by conveying mechanism, 6B.

About 2GDL6B, because will be, so the coating set positions of bonding agent is in the position of not interfering with conveying roller 102, conveyer belt 103 and distributing roller 104 at its lower surface adhesive-applying.

Two dividing

plate

7A, 7B with GDL6A, 6B facing surfaces, coating comprises the bonding agent of the heat reactive resin of phenolic aldehyde system or epoxy system respectively in advance.Particularly, in Fig. 3, at the wall part 7F adhesive-applying between the 7C of gas passage of dividing plate 7A, 7B.The feed mechanism that is coated in dividing

plate

7A, 7B of bonding agent carries out, and perhaps carries out in the course of conveying of the dividing plate 7A, the 7B that are undertaken by conveying mechanism.About dividing plate 7A, because will be, so the coating set positions of bonding agent is in the position of not interfering with conveying roller 109, conveyer belt 110, distributing roller 111 at its lower surface adhesive-applying.

Hot pressing is that MEA9, GDL6A, 6B and dividing

plate

7A, 7B are heated and pressurize, and makes the incorporate operation of these members by thermo-compressed or heat bonding.

Each conveying mechanism is after the order according to the 1st dividing plate 7A, 1GDL6A, MEA9,2GDL6B and the 2nd dividing plate 7B is laminated to them on the compressing fixture 113, as shown in Figure 3, forcing press 101 is by the running of servomotor 116, driving pinion 115 rotations, by tooth bar 114 and axle 113A, lift compressing fixture 113 to supporting tool 120.

With reference to Fig. 4,, be positioned at the 2nd dividing plate 7B and compressing fixture 123 butts that support tool 120 of the topmost of duplexer owing to the rising of compressing fixture 113.Compressing fixture 123 is heated to 80 ℃～150 ℃ scope in advance by heater 121, and compressing fixture 113 is heated to 80 ℃～150 ℃ scope in advance by heater 118.In addition, in order to illustrate, MEA9, GDL6A, 6B and dividing

plate

7A, 7B separate respectively mutually in the drawings, but in fact when compressing fixture 113 rises, and these members are to rise with stacked state.

Behind the 2nd dividing plate 7B and compressing fixture 123 butts, to MEA9, GDL6A, 6B and dividing plate 7A, the 7B of stacked state between compressing fixture 113 and compressing fixture 123 pressure and heat from above-below direction effect regulation.As a result, be coated in bonding agent and MEA9 heat bonding on GDL6A, the 6B.Particularly, the thermal curing agents that comprises in the bonding agent is owing to heating is solidified, thus bonding securely MEA9 and GDL6A, 6B.

As mentioned above, bonding agent is not to be coated on GDL6A, 6B whole, only is coated in the place that is limited.Therefore, in the fuel cell after finishing, gas is not carried out by bonding agent from GDL6A, 6B with hindering to diffusion and the infiltration of catalyst layer 8A, 8B.For the face of uncoated bonding agent, the electrolyte thermo-compressed that constitutes

catalyst layer

8A, 8B is made GDL6A, 6B and

catalyst layer

8A, 8B seamlessly fit tightly on GDL6A, 6B by anchoring effect.

In addition, be coated in bonding agent on the wall part 7F of dividing

plate

7A, 7B also because the curing of thermal curing agents, and bonding securely dividing

plate

7A, 7B and GDL6A, 6B.

The duplexer of pressing the sequential cascade of the 1st dividing plate 7A, 1GDL6A, MEA9,2GDL6B and the 2nd dividing plate 7B like this passes through hot pressing process once and by integrated, finishes fuel cell in the short time.

Taken out of to tip by the manipulator shown in Fig. 1 and 3 300 by incorporate fuel cell at forcing press 101 with mechanical arm 301.

Carry out repeatedly more later on dividing plate 7A, the GDL6A, MEA9, GDL6B and the dividing plate 7B that are undertaken by each feed mechanism and conveying mechanism the supply to forcing press 101, by forcing press 101 carry out these members are integrated, by manipulator 300 with incorporate fuel cell taking out of to tip.

As mentioned above, because the present invention makes dividing plate 7A, GDL6A, MEA9, GDL6B and dividing plate 7B integrated in hot pressing process once, so can shorten the manufacturing process of solid polymer membrane fuel cell.

In above embodiment, use at two surface applied catalyst layer 8A of solid polymer membrane 5, the MEA9 that 8B forms, still also can form

catalyst layer

8A, 8B on the surface of GDL6A, 6B with constant interval.At this moment, the conveying mechanism that is made of conveying roller 102, conveyer belt 103 and distributing roller 104 supplies to forcing press 101 to the solid polymer membrane 5 of monomer.On the other hand, the feed mechanism 200 of GDL6A, 6B GDL6A, 6B towards the surface applied of solid polymer membrane 5 behind catalyst layer 8A, the 8B, GDL6A, 6B are supplied to the conveying initial position.At this moment, by the hot pressing of forcing press 101, make

catalyst layer

8A, 8B hot pressing be connected to solid polymer membrane 5.In the conveying operation of solid polymer membrane 5, also can be at assigned position coating catalyst layer 8A, the 8B of solid polymer membrane 5.

The theme of the manufacture method of fuel cell of the present invention is the hot pressing of being undertaken by forcing press 101, about sending to forcing press 101 supply members with incorporate fuel cell, can use arbitrary method.

Below with reference to Fig. 5, relevant the 2nd embodiment of the present invention of shape with the compressing fixture 113 of forcing press 101 is described.

Present embodiment is characterised in that the shape of the upper surface of compressing fixture 113.At this, replace the upper surface of compressing fixture 113 is formed the plane, and form the fillet up 13 that cooperates with the coolant channels 7D of the groove shape that forms at the 1st dividing plate 7A.By forming such fillet 13, thereby can correctly carry out the location of dividing plate 7A at compressing fixture 113.In addition, when forming dividing plate 7A with graphite, because the fragility of graphite, forcing press 101 is difficult to the enough plus-pressures of duplexer effect.As present embodiment, the fillet 13 by compressing fixture 113 cooperates with the cooling channel 7D of the groove shape of dividing plate 7A, thereby can avoid stress to concentrate, and can be to the enough plus-pressures of duplexer effect.

Then, with reference to Fig. 6, relevant the 3rd embodiment of the present invention of shape with the compressing fixture 123 of forcing press 101 is described.

In the present embodiment, also form coolant channels 7D, and form the fillet 13 of the 2nd embodiment at the lower surface of the upper surface of compressing fixture 113 and compressing fixture 123 respectively at the back side of the 2nd dividing plate 7B.

According to present embodiment, owing to dividing

plate

7A, 7B seamlessly contact with compressing fixture 123 with compressing fixture 113 respectively, so the support structure of dividing

plate

7A, 7B in the hot pressing is more stable.

In addition, the 2nd embodiment and the 3rd embodiment also can use the dividing plate that replaces coolant channels 7D and form the gas passage.

At this by reference, the special content of being willing to 2004-019743 number of Japan that to merge with on January 28th, 2004 be the applying date.

As mentioned above, the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to described each embodiment by several certain embodiments.For those skilled in the art, in the technical scope of claims, can carry out various corrections or change to these embodiment.

Be suitable for industrial field

According to the present invention, can make the member of formation of stacked fuel cell integrated with a hot pressing.Therefore, can shorten the manufacturing process of polymer electrolyte fuel cell monomer, and a ring of the manufacturing process of the fuel cell stack of the many fuel cells of conduct use, adopt the present invention, thereby can obtain desirable especially effect.

Institute's requirement in the character of monopolizing that embodiments of the invention comprise or feature such as claims.

Claims

1. the manufacture method of a solid polymer membrane fuel cell, this solid polymer membrane fuel cell comprises: solid polymer membrane (5), be layered in a surface of solid polymer membrane (5) the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A) and the 1st dividing plate (7A), be layered in the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B) and the 2nd dividing plate (7B) on another surface of solid polymer membrane (5), in the manufacture method of this solid polymer membrane fuel cell

At the 1st dividing plate (7A) and contact-making surface adhesive-applying the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A);

At the 2nd dividing plate (7B) and contact-making surface adhesive-applying the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B);

Between a pair of compressing fixture (113,123) according to record order overlay configuration the 1st dividing plate (7A), the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A), solid polymer membrane (5), the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B) and the 2nd dividing plate (7B);

By the 1st dividing plate (7A) and the 2nd dividing plate (7B) being heated while pressurizeing, thereby obtain incorporate fuel cell with compressing fixture (113,123).

2. manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein:

The 1st dividing plate (7A) has the gas passage (7C) towards the groove shape of the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A), and the bonding agent that is coated on the 1st dividing plate (7A) is applied to the wall part (7F) of delimiting gas passage (7C); The 2nd dividing plate (7B) has the gas passage (7C) towards the groove shape of the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B), and the bonding agent that is coated on the 2nd dividing plate (7B) is applied to the wall part (7F) of delimiting gas passage (7C).

3. manufacture method according to claim 1 and 2, wherein:

In advance at two surface applied the 1st catalyst layers (8A) and the 2nd catalyst layer (8B) of solid polymer membrane (5), be applied to plus-pressure and heat on the 1st dividing plate (7A) and the 2nd dividing plate (7B) by compressing fixture (113,123), make the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A) hot pressing be connected to the 1st catalyst layer (8A), make the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B) hot pressing be connected to the 2nd catalyst layer (8B).

4. manufacture method according to claim 3, wherein:

Only at a part of position adhesive-applying towards the 1st catalyst layer (8A) of the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A), only at a part of position adhesive-applying towards the 2nd catalyst layer (8B) of the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B), put on the plus-pressure and the heat of the 1st dividing plate (7A) and the 2nd dividing plate (7B) by compressing fixture (113,123), make the 1st gas diffusion layers (6A) hot pressing be connected to the 1st catalyst layer (8A), make the 2nd gas diffusion layers (6B) hot pressing be connected to the 2nd catalyst layer (8B).

5. manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein:

Bonding agent comprises heat-curing resin.

6. manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein:

The 1st dividing plate (7A) has recess (7D) on the surface towards compressing fixture (113), and compressing fixture (113) has the protuberance (13) that cooperates with the recess (7D) of the 1st dividing plate (7A).

7. manufacture method according to claim 1, wherein:

Recess (7D) is fuel cell coolant channels (7D).