JP2000123842A - Fuel cell - Google Patents
Fuel cellInfo
- Publication number
- JP2000123842A JP2000123842A JP10290340A JP29034098A JP2000123842A JP 2000123842 A JP2000123842 A JP 2000123842A JP 10290340 A JP10290340 A JP 10290340A JP 29034098 A JP29034098 A JP 29034098A JP 2000123842 A JP2000123842 A JP 2000123842A
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- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- fuel cell
- conductive fine
- carbon
- electrode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Inert Electrodes (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、高分子電解質型燃
料電池に関し、特にその構成要素である電極に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and more particularly to an electrode which is a component of the fuel cell.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】高分子電解質型燃料電池に用いる電極
は、一般的に電極触媒層となる貴金属を担持した炭素微
粉末を、ガス拡散層となる多孔質導電性電極基材上に形
成したものを用いる。多孔質導電性基材は、炭素繊維か
らなるカーボンペーパーやカーボンクロスなどを用い
る。通常これらの電極は、貴金属を担持した炭素微粉末
をイソプロピルアルコールなどの有機溶媒を用いてイン
ク化しスクリーン印刷法や転写法を用いて基材上に成形
するのが一般的である。2. Description of the Related Art An electrode used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is generally formed by forming a fine carbon powder carrying a noble metal serving as an electrode catalyst layer on a porous conductive electrode substrate serving as a gas diffusion layer. Is used. As the porous conductive substrate, carbon paper or carbon cloth made of carbon fiber is used. In general, these electrodes are generally formed by inking carbon fine powder supporting a noble metal with an organic solvent such as isopropyl alcohol, and forming the ink on a substrate using a screen printing method or a transfer method.
【０００３】近年、安全性と作業性の観点から、有機溶
媒系に変えて水系の溶媒を用いた電極用のインクが提案
されている。しかしながら、これらの方法を用いる場
合、電極触媒となる貴金属を担持した炭素粉末がガス拡
散層となる電極基材上に一部貫入するため、比較的多量
の電極触媒を用いたり、電池の締め付け圧を上げ接合面
の導電性を保つなどの対策が必要である。またこのため
に、予め高分子電解質膜に電極触媒層を塗布形成すると
いう方法も提案されている。これらの電極と高分子電解
質膜はホットプレスなどの手法により接合して用いる。In recent years, from the viewpoint of safety and workability, an ink for an electrode using an aqueous solvent instead of an organic solvent has been proposed. However, when using these methods, a relatively large amount of the electrode catalyst is used or the tightening pressure of the battery is increased because the carbon powder supporting the noble metal serving as the electrode catalyst partially penetrates the electrode base material serving as the gas diffusion layer. It is necessary to take countermeasures such as raising the bonding surface and maintaining the conductivity of the bonding surface. For this purpose, a method has been proposed in which an electrode catalyst layer is applied to a polymer electrolyte membrane in advance. These electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane are joined and used by a method such as hot pressing.
【０００４】[0004]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】従来の高分子電解質型
燃料電池に用いる電極は、電極触媒となる貴金属を担持
した炭素粉末を多量に用いる必要がある。また、ガス拡
散層となるカーボンペーパーやカーボンクロスと電極触
媒との接触抵抗を向上させるため、電池の締結圧を上げ
て用いる必要がある。The electrodes used in conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cells require the use of a large amount of carbon powder carrying a noble metal as an electrode catalyst. Further, in order to improve the contact resistance between the electrode catalyst and carbon paper or carbon cloth serving as a gas diffusion layer, it is necessary to increase the fastening pressure of the battery.
【０００５】このように高分子電解質型燃料電池には、
電極触媒の利用率が高く、しかもガス拡散層となるカー
ボンペーパーやカーボンクロスなどと、電極触媒層との
接触抵抗が小さな電極が強く求められている。As described above, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes:
There is a strong demand for an electrode which has a high utilization rate of the electrode catalyst and has a low contact resistance between the electrode catalyst layer and carbon paper or carbon cloth serving as a gas diffusion layer.
【０００６】[0006]
【課題を解決するための手段】以上の課題を解決するた
め本発明の燃料電池は、触媒層とガス拡散層からなる電
極を、高分子電解質の両側に備えた燃料電池において、
前記電極触媒層と前記ガス拡散層との間に導電性微粒子
からなる層を配置したことを特徴とする。Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, a fuel cell according to the present invention is a fuel cell comprising electrodes comprising a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer on both sides of a polymer electrolyte.
A layer made of conductive fine particles is arranged between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer.
【０００７】このとき、導電性微粒子からなる層が、ガ
ス拡散層に少なくとも一部貫入していることが好まし
い。At this time, it is preferable that the layer made of the conductive fine particles at least partially penetrates the gas diffusion layer.
【０００８】また、導電性微粒子からなる層を、１０ｎ
ｍ以上１００ｎｍ以下の平均一次粒子径を持つ導電性材
料で構成したことが好ましい。Further, the layer made of conductive fine particles is
It is preferable to use a conductive material having an average primary particle diameter of not less than m and not more than 100 nm.
【０００９】また、導電性微粒子は、高分子電解質の両
側で異なる材料であることが望ましい。It is desirable that the conductive fine particles be made of a different material on both sides of the polymer electrolyte.
【００１０】また、導電性微粒子からなる層を、炭素材
料、金属材料、炭素−高分子複合材料、金属−高分子複
合材料の少なくとも一つで構成したことが好ましい。It is preferable that the layer made of the conductive fine particles is made of at least one of a carbon material, a metal material, a carbon-polymer composite material, and a metal-polymer composite material.
【００１１】また、炭素−高分子複合材料は、ポリテト
ラフルオロエチレンを付着させた炭素粉末であることが
望ましい、このとき、導電性微粒子からなる層が含有す
るポリテトラフルオロエチレンは、５重量％以上で７５
重量％以下であることが好ましい。Preferably, the carbon-polymer composite material is a carbon powder to which polytetrafluoroethylene is adhered. At this time, the polytetrafluoroethylene contained in the layer composed of the conductive fine particles is 5% by weight. 75 above
It is preferable that the content be not more than weight%.
【００１２】[0012]
【発明の実施の形態】以上のように、本発明による燃料
電池は、電極触媒層とガス拡散層の間に導電性微粒子か
らなる層を配置しているため、電極触媒層とガス拡散層
の接触抵抗が小さくなり電池特性が向上する。また、導
電性微粒子からなる層が一部ガス拡散層に貫入した場合
はその効果がより向上する。また、電極触媒層がガス拡
散層に貫入することがなくなるため、電極触媒層に用い
る貴金属触媒の使用量を従来よりも減らすことができ、
コスト低減効果が期待できる。As described above, in the fuel cell according to the present invention, since the layer made of conductive fine particles is arranged between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer, the fuel cell of the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer are disposed. The contact resistance is reduced and the battery characteristics are improved. Further, when a layer made of conductive fine particles partially penetrates the gas diffusion layer, the effect is further improved. Further, since the electrode catalyst layer does not penetrate the gas diffusion layer, the amount of the noble metal catalyst used for the electrode catalyst layer can be reduced as compared with the conventional case,
Cost reduction can be expected.
【００１３】さらに、通常高分子電解質膜と電極の接合
にはホットプレスなどの手法が用いられる。この場合、
導電性微粒子層にＰＴＦＥを付着させた炭素材料を用い
ると、電極触媒層とガス拡散層の物理的な結着性も高ま
り、取り扱いが容易になるという利点もある。さらにこ
の場合、ＰＴＦＥを導入しているため、特に空気極で発
生した生成水を一部は電解質膜内に取り込み余分な生成
水はガス拡散層側に排出するという副次的な効果も期待
できる。この場合空気極と燃料極でＰＴＦＥの含有量を
変えるとより効果的である。Further, a method such as hot pressing is generally used for joining the polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrode. in this case,
When a carbon material in which PTFE is attached to the conductive fine particle layer is used, there is an advantage that physical binding between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer is enhanced, and handling is facilitated. Further, in this case, since PTFE is introduced, it is expected that a side effect that particularly generated water generated at the air electrode is partially taken into the electrolyte membrane and excess generated water is discharged to the gas diffusion layer side. . In this case, it is more effective to change the PTFE content between the air electrode and the fuel electrode.
【００１４】このように本発明による燃料電池は、電極
触媒層とガス拡散層の間に導電性微粒子層を配したた
め、従来よりも高性能な燃料電池を構成することができ
る。As described above, in the fuel cell according to the present invention, since the conductive fine particle layer is disposed between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer, it is possible to construct a fuel cell having higher performance than before.
【００１５】以下、本発明の燃料電池について図面を参
照して述べる。Hereinafter, the fuel cell of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
【００１６】[0016]
【実施例】（実施例１）まず初めに、本発明の燃料電池
に用いた電極の作製法について述べる。平均一次粒径が
５０ｎｍのアセチレンブラックを酢酸ブチルでインク化
して、ガス拡散層１となるカーボンペーパー（東レ製、
TGP-H-120、膜厚３６０μｍ）上に、スクリーン印刷法
により塗工し導電性微粒子層２を形成した。さらに、白
金を２５重量％担持したカーボン粉末からなる電極触媒
粉末を、Ｆｌｅｍｉｏｎ溶液（旭硝子製）、酢酸ブチル
と混合してインク化し、先の導電性微粒子層上に先と同
じくスクリーン印刷法を用いて塗工し電極触媒層３を形
成した。ここで単位面積あたりの白金量は０．２ｍｇ／
ｃｍ2とした。EXAMPLES (Example 1) First, a method for producing an electrode used in the fuel cell of the present invention will be described. Acetylene black having an average primary particle size of 50 nm is made into an ink with butyl acetate, and carbon paper (manufactured by Toray;
The conductive fine particle layer 2 was formed by applying a screen printing method on TGP-H-120 (thickness: 360 μm). Further, an electrode catalyst powder composed of carbon powder carrying 25% by weight of platinum is mixed with a Flemion solution (manufactured by Asahi Glass) and butyl acetate to form an ink, and the same screen printing method is used on the conductive fine particle layer as before. To form an electrode catalyst layer 3. Here, the amount of platinum per unit area is 0.2 mg /
cm 2 .
【００１７】このようにして作製した電極をＮａｆｉｏ
ｎ膜（Ｄｕｐｏｎ製、Ｎａｆｉｏｎ１１２）の両側に配
してホットプレスを行い電極−電解質接合体を作製し
た。このとき電極の端部の一部に剥がれの部分が見られ
たが、電極−電解質接合体全体としては十分接合されて
いた。この接合体の電極部の断面図を図１に示した。こ
れより導電性微粒子層の一部がカーボンペーパー内に貫
入していることが分かる。さらに比較のために導電性微
粒子層を持たない電極触媒層とガス拡散層だけの電極も
作製した。これらを単電池測定用の装置にセットして単
電池を構成した。The electrode manufactured in this manner was replaced with Nafio.
An n-film (manufactured by Duponn, Nafion 112) was arranged on both sides and hot pressed to produce an electrode-electrolyte assembly. At this time, a peeled part was observed at a part of the end of the electrode, but the whole electrode-electrolyte assembly was sufficiently bonded. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrode part of the joined body. This indicates that a part of the conductive fine particle layer penetrates into the carbon paper. For comparison, an electrode having no conductive fine particle layer and an electrode having only a gas diffusion layer were also prepared. These were set in a unit for measuring a single cell to constitute a single cell.
【００１８】これらの単電池は、燃料極に水素ガスを空
気極に空気を流し、電池温度を７５℃、燃料利用率を８
０％、空気利用率を３０％、ガス加湿は水素ガスを７５
℃、空気を６５℃の露点になるように調整した。この時
の電池の電流−電圧特性を比較して図２に示した。これ
より導電性微粒子層を持つものが持たないものより、よ
り高い特性を示すことが分かった。これは、導電性微粒
子層を入れることで電極触媒とガス拡散層間の接触抵抗
が低減したことと、実際に反応に寄与する白金触媒の反
応面積が増加したためと考えられた。このことにより、
よりＰｔ使用量を低減できることを示した。In these cells, hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel electrode, air is supplied to the air electrode, the cell temperature is 75 ° C., and the fuel utilization is 8%.
0%, air utilization rate 30%, gas humidification 75% hydrogen gas
° C and air were adjusted to a dew point of 65 ° C. FIG. 2 shows a comparison of the current-voltage characteristics of the batteries at this time. From this, it was found that those having the conductive fine particle layer exhibited higher characteristics than those having no conductive fine particle layer. This is considered to be because the contact resistance between the electrode catalyst and the gas diffusion layer was reduced by inserting the conductive fine particle layer, and the reaction area of the platinum catalyst actually contributing to the reaction was increased. This allows
It was shown that the Pt usage can be further reduced.
【００１９】（実施例２）次に、導電性微粒子層を構成
するカーボンの平均一次粒径を変えた場合について調べ
た。実施例１で用いた５０ｎｍのアセチレンブラックの
他に粒径の異なる５種類のカーボンを用いた場合につい
て、実施例１と同じ単電池を作製して電池性能を調べ
た。電極の作製法、電池運転条件は全て実施例１と同じ
にした。表１に、電流密度７００ｍＡ／ｃｍ2におけ
る、電池電圧を比較して示した。Example 2 Next, the case where the average primary particle size of carbon constituting the conductive fine particle layer was changed was examined. In the case where five kinds of carbons having different particle diameters were used in addition to the acetylene black of 50 nm used in Example 1, the same single cell as in Example 1 was produced, and the battery performance was examined. The manufacturing method of the electrodes and the battery operating conditions were all the same as in Example 1. Table 1 shows a comparison between battery voltages at a current density of 700 mA / cm 2 .
【００２０】これより粒径が１０ｎｍ〜１００ｎｍの場
合に、電池性能が高くなることが分かった。これは、粒
径が小さすぎると多孔質なカーボンペーパー内にカーボ
ン微粒子が完全に貫入してしまいガス拡散が悪くなった
ために特性が低下したためと考えられる。また、粒径が
５００ｎｍの場合には粒径が大きすぎてカーボンペーパ
ーとの接触が悪くなり電池特性が低下したものと考えら
れる。From this, it was found that when the particle size was 10 nm to 100 nm, the battery performance was improved. This is considered to be because if the particle size is too small, the carbon fine particles completely penetrate into the porous carbon paper and the gas diffusion becomes worse, so that the characteristics are lowered. When the particle size is 500 nm, it is considered that the particle size is too large and the contact with the carbon paper is deteriorated, and the battery characteristics are degraded.
【００２１】[0021]
【表１】 [Table 1]
【００２２】また、次に導電性微粒子層を構成する材料
を変えた場合について検討した。カーボン粒子の他に、
チタン、ニッケルについて同様に電極を作製し、単電池
測定装置にセットして電池性能を調べた。この結果、ど
の材料を用いた場合も初期電池特性は同等であった。Next, the case where the material constituting the conductive fine particle layer was changed was examined. In addition to carbon particles,
Electrodes were prepared in the same manner for titanium and nickel, and set in a unit cell measuring device to check the battery performance. As a result, no matter which material was used, the initial battery characteristics were equivalent.
【００２３】これらの結果より、本実施例の燃料電池
は、電極触媒層とガス拡散層の間に導電性微粒子層を配
したため、従来よりも接触抵抗を低減でき電池特性が向
上する事が分かった。また１０〜１００ｎｍの粒径の材
料を用いる場合に電池特性が高くなることも分かった。
使用する導電性材料に関しても本実施例で調べた材料は
すべて良好な結果を示した。この材料に関しては本実施
例に限定されるものではなく、本発明が適用できるもの
であればどんなものでも構わない。From these results, it can be seen that the fuel cell of the present embodiment has the conductive fine particle layer disposed between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer, so that the contact resistance can be reduced and the cell characteristics can be improved as compared with the prior art. Was. It was also found that when a material having a particle size of 10 to 100 nm was used, battery characteristics were improved.
Regarding the conductive materials to be used, all the materials examined in this example showed good results. This material is not limited to this embodiment, but may be any material to which the present invention can be applied.
【００２４】本発明では、導電性微粒子層をスクリーン
印刷法を用いて形成したが、電極触媒層とガス拡散層の
間に形成することができるものであれば、これ以外の方
法であっても構わない。使用する高分子電解質膜や電極
触媒、ガス拡散層も本実施例に限定されるものではな
い。In the present invention, the conductive fine particle layer is formed by a screen printing method, but any other method can be used as long as it can be formed between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. I do not care. The polymer electrolyte membrane, the electrode catalyst, and the gas diffusion layer to be used are not limited to this embodiment.
【００２５】（実施例３）本実施例では、ポリテトラフ
ルオロエチレン（ＰＴＦＥ）を付着させたカーボン粉末
を導電性微粒子層に使用した場合について調べた。ＰＴ
ＦＥを付着したカーボン粉末（ＰＴＦＥ／Ｃ）は、アセ
チレンブラックとＰＴＦＥ分散液（ダイキン工業製、Ｄ
−１）、界面活性剤（ＴｒｉｔｏｎＸ−１００）をコロ
イドミルを用いて混合後熱処理して作製した。作製した
ＰＴＦＥ／ＣのＰＴＦＥ量は３０重量％とした。Example 3 In this example, the case where carbon powder to which polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was adhered was used for the conductive fine particle layer was examined. PT
The carbon powder (PTFE / C) to which FE is attached is composed of acetylene black and a PTFE dispersion (manufactured by Daikin Industries,
-1) A surfactant (Triton X-100) was prepared by mixing using a colloid mill followed by heat treatment. The PTFE content of the prepared PTFE / C was 30% by weight.
【００２６】これを実施例１と同様にカーボンペーパー
上にスクリーン印刷して導電性微粒子層を形成した後、
電極触媒を同様に形成して電極を作製した。このように
して作製した電極をＮａｆｉｏｎ膜の両側に配してホッ
トプレスを行い電極−電解質接合体（ＭＥＡ）を作製し
た。このＭＥＡは、電極端部の剥がれ等もなく、実施例
１で作製したものより接合性が良くなっていた。これは
ＰＴＦＥが結着剤として一部機能しているためと考え
る。This was screen-printed on carbon paper in the same manner as in Example 1 to form a conductive fine particle layer.
An electrode was prepared by forming an electrode catalyst in the same manner. The electrodes thus produced were arranged on both sides of the Nafion film and hot pressed to produce an electrode-electrolyte assembly (MEA). This MEA had no peeling of the electrode end and the like, and had better bondability than that manufactured in Example 1. This is because PTFE partially functions as a binder.
【００２７】このＭＥＡを用いて実施例１と同様に単電
池を構成して電池性能を調べた。図３に、この結果を実
施例１のアセチレンブラックを導電性微粒子層に用いた
場合と比較して示した。これよりＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを用いた
方がより電池特性が向上することが分かった。これはＰ
ＴＦＥを導入したことにより電極近傍での撥水性が向上
したためと考える。A cell was constructed using this MEA in the same manner as in Example 1, and the battery performance was examined. FIG. 3 shows the results in comparison with the case where acetylene black of Example 1 was used for the conductive fine particle layer. Thus, it was found that using PTFE / C further improved the battery characteristics. This is P
It is considered that the introduction of TFE improved the water repellency near the electrodes.
【００２８】次に、付着させるＰＴＦＥ量を変化させた
場合の電池特性について調べた。ＰＴＦＥ量は、ＰＴＦ
Ｅ分散液の濃度を調整することによって変化させた。表
２に、ＰＴＦＥを変化させた場合、電流密度７００ｍＡ
／ｃｍ2の電池電圧を示した。Next, the battery characteristics when the amount of PTFE to be attached was changed were examined. The amount of PTFE is PTF
It was varied by adjusting the concentration of the E dispersion. Table 2 shows that when the PTFE was changed, the current density was 700 mA.
/ Cm 2 .
【００２９】これよりＰＴＦＥ量が５〜７５重量％の場
合に電池性能が高くなることが分かった。ＰＴＦＥ量が
多い場合には導電性が低くなり電池性能が低下し、低い
場合には電極部での撥水性が低下したためと考える。From this, it was found that the battery performance was improved when the amount of PTFE was 5 to 75% by weight. It is considered that when the amount of PTFE is large, the conductivity is lowered and the battery performance is lowered, and when the amount is low, the water repellency at the electrode portion is lowered.
【００３０】これらの結果より、導電性微粒子層にＰＴ
ＦＥ／Ｃを用いることによりＭＥＡの接合性が向上する
と同時に電池性能も向上することが分かった。今回はＰ
ＴＦＥ量の調整には担持量の異なるＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを用い
たが、これ以外にＰＴＦＥ／Ｃとカーボン粉末を混合し
てＰＴＦＥ量を調整することもでき、本実施例に限定さ
れるものではない。From these results, it was found that the conductive fine particle layer
It has been found that the use of FE / C improves the joining performance of the MEA and also improves the battery performance. This time is P
Although the PTFE / C having different loading amounts was used to adjust the TFE amount, the PTFE amount could also be adjusted by mixing PTFE / C and carbon powder, and the present invention is not limited to this example. .
【００３１】[0031]
【表２】 [Table 2]
【００３２】（実施例４）本実施例では、燃料極と空気
極で異なる組成のＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを導電性微粒子層に用い
た場合について調べた。ＰＴＦＥ担持量が６０重量％の
ＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを燃料極の導電性微粒子層に、ＰＴＦＥ担
持量が３０重量％のＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを空気極の導電性微粒
子層に用いて、実施例２と同様に各々の電極を作製し
た。このようにして作製した電極をＮａｆｉｏｎ膜の両
側に各々配してホットプレスを行い電極−電解質接合体
（ＭＥＡ）を作製した。Example 4 In this example, the case where PTFE / C having different compositions for the fuel electrode and the air electrode were used for the conductive fine particle layer was examined. As in Example 2, PTFE / C having a PTFE loading of 60% by weight was used for the conductive fine particle layer of the fuel electrode, and PTFE / C having a PTFE loading of 30% by weight was used for the conductive fine particle layer of the air electrode. Each electrode was produced. The electrodes thus produced were arranged on both sides of the Nafion film, respectively, and hot pressed to produce an electrode-electrolyte assembly (MEA).
【００３３】これを単電池試験装置にＰＴＦＥ担持量６
０重量％のＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを用いた電極が燃料ガス流路側
になるように配置して電池性能を調べた。ここで単電池
の試験条件等は実施例２と同様にした。図４に、この電
池の電流−電圧特性を実施例２の両極にＰＴＦＥ担持量
３０重量％のＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを用いた場合と比較して示し
た。The PTFE carrying amount was set to 6
An electrode using 0% by weight of PTFE / C was arranged so as to be on the fuel gas flow path side, and the cell performance was examined. Here, the test conditions and the like for the unit cells were the same as in Example 2. FIG. 4 shows the current-voltage characteristics of this battery in comparison with the case where PTFE / C having a PTFE carrying amount of 30% by weight was used for both electrodes in Example 2.
【００３４】これよりＰＴＦＥ担持量を燃料極、空気極
で異なる組成にしたものを用いた場合の方が、同じもの
に比べて特性が向上することが分かった。これは、電池
運転時の燃料極と空気極での高分子電解質膜の加湿条件
が、同じ組成のものを用いた場合よりもより良くなった
ためと考えられる。ここでは、導電性微粒子層にＰＴＦ
Ｅ担持量の異なるＰＴＦＥ／Ｃを用いたが、これ以外の
炭素材料、金属微粒子、炭素材料とＰＴＦＥ／Ｃの混合
物などの複合材料も使用できる。From the results, it was found that the characteristics of the fuel electrode and the air electrode having different compositions for the fuel electrode and the air electrode were improved as compared with the same material. This is presumably because the humidifying conditions of the polymer electrolyte membrane at the fuel electrode and the air electrode during the operation of the battery were better than those using the same composition. Here, PTF is added to the conductive fine particle layer.
Although PTFE / C having different amounts of E carried was used, other composite materials such as carbon material, metal fine particles, and a mixture of the carbon material and PTFE / C can also be used.
【００３５】[0035]
【発明の効果】以上、実施例の説明から明らかなよう
に、本発明による燃料電池は、電極触媒層とガス拡散層
の間に導電性微粒子からなる層を配置しているため、電
極触媒層とガス拡散層の接触抵抗が小さくなり電池特性
が向上する。また、導電性微粒子からなる層が一部ガス
拡散層に貫入した場合はその効果がより向上する。ま
た、電極触媒層がガス拡散層に貫入することがなくなる
ため、電極触媒層に用いる貴金属触媒の使用量を従来よ
りも減らすことができ、コスト低減効果が期待できる。
さらに、導電性微粒子層にＰＴＦＥを付着させた炭素材
料を用いると、電極触媒層とガス拡散層の物理的な結着
性も高まり、取り扱いが容易になるという利点もある。
さらにこの場合、ＰＴＦＥを導入しているため、特に空
気極で発生した生成水を一部は電解質膜内に取り込み余
分な生成水はガス拡散層側に排出するという副次的な効
果も期待できる。このように本発明による燃料電池は、
電極触媒層とガス拡散層の間に導電性微粒子層を配した
ため、従来よりも高性能な燃料電池を構成することがで
きる。As described above, the fuel cell according to the present invention has a layer made of conductive fine particles between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. And the contact resistance of the gas diffusion layer is reduced, and the battery characteristics are improved. Further, when a layer made of conductive fine particles partially penetrates the gas diffusion layer, the effect is further improved. Further, since the electrode catalyst layer does not penetrate the gas diffusion layer, the amount of the noble metal catalyst used for the electrode catalyst layer can be reduced as compared with the conventional case, and a cost reduction effect can be expected.
Further, when a carbon material in which PTFE is attached to the conductive fine particle layer is used, there is an advantage that physical binding between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer is enhanced, and handling is facilitated.
Further, in this case, since PTFE is introduced, it is expected that a side effect that particularly generated water generated at the air electrode is partially taken into the electrolyte membrane and excess generated water is discharged to the gas diffusion layer side. . As described above, the fuel cell according to the present invention
Since the conductive fine particle layer is provided between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer, a fuel cell having higher performance than before can be constructed.
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例で用いた電極の断面を示
す図FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross section of an electrode used in a first embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】本発明の第１の実施例である燃料電池単セルの
電流と電圧の関係を示す図FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between current and voltage of a single fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
【図３】本発明の第２の実施例である燃料電池単セルの
電流と電圧の関係を示す図FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between current and voltage of a single fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
【図４】本発明の第３の実施例である燃料電池単セルの
電流と電圧の関係を示す図FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between current and voltage of a single fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
１ ガス拡散層 ２ 導電性微粒子層 ３ 電極触媒層 Reference Signs List 1 gas diffusion layer 2 conductive fine particle layer 3 electrode catalyst layer
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 内田 誠 大阪府門真市大字門真1006番地 松下電器 産業株式会社内 (72)発明者 菅原 靖 大阪府門真市大字門真1006番地 松下電器 産業株式会社内 Ｆターム(参考） 5H018 AA02 AA06 AS01 BB01 BB03 BB08 DD06 DD08 EE02 EE05 EE17 EE19 HH01 HH05 5H026 AA02 AA06 BB01 BB02 BB04 CX03 CX04 CX07 EE02 EE05 EE18 EE19 HH01 HH05 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Uchida 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Terms (reference) 5H018 AA02 AA06 AS01 BB01 BB03 BB08 DD06 DD08 EE02 EE05 EE17 EE19 HH01 HH05 5H026 AA02 AA06 BB01 BB02 BB04 CX03 CX04 CX07 EE02 EE05 EE18 EE19 HH01 HH05
Claims (7)
分子電解質の両側に備えた燃料電池において、前記電極
触媒層と前記ガス拡散層との間に導電性微粒子からなる
層を配置したことを特徴とする燃料電池。1. A fuel cell having electrodes composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer on both sides of a polymer electrolyte, wherein a layer composed of conductive fine particles is disposed between the electrode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. A fuel cell, characterized in that:
に少なくとも一部貫入していること特徴とする請求項１
に記載の燃料電池。2. The gas diffusion layer according to claim 1, wherein the layer made of conductive fine particles at least partially penetrates the gas diffusion layer.
A fuel cell according to claim 1.
上１００ｎｍ以下の平均一次粒子径を持つ導電性材料で
構成したことを特徴とする請求項１または２記載の燃料
電池。3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the layer made of conductive fine particles is made of a conductive material having an average primary particle diameter of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less.
異なる材料であることを特徴とする請求項１、２または
３記載の燃料電池。4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the conductive fine particles are made of different materials on both sides of the polymer electrolyte.
金属材料、炭素−高分子複合材料、金属−高分子複合材
料の少なくとも一つで構成したことを特徴とする請求項
１、２、３または４記載の燃料電池。5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the layer comprising the conductive fine particles comprises a carbon material,
5. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell comprises at least one of a metal material, a carbon-polymer composite material, and a metal-polymer composite material.
ルオロエチレンを付着させた炭素粉末であることを特徴
とする請求項５記載の燃料電池。6. The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the carbon-polymer composite material is carbon powder to which polytetrafluoroethylene is attached.
テトラフルオロエチレンは、５重量％以上で７５重量％
以下であることを特徴とする請求項６記載の燃料電池。7. The polytetrafluoroethylene contained in the layer made of conductive fine particles is at least 5% by weight and at least 75% by weight.
The fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein:
Priority Applications (9)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP29034098A JP3444530B2 (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1998-10-13 | Fuel cell |
| PCT/JP1999/003123 WO1999066578A1 (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
| CNB998074764A CN1159788C (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
| US09/719,664 US6746793B1 (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
| CNA2003101239308A CN1516311A (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | High-molecular electrolyte fuel battery |
| KR10-2000-7014308A KR100413645B1 (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
| CNA2003101239312A CN1516312A (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | High-molecular electrolyte fuel battery |
| EP99925304A EP1096587A4 (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1999-06-10 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
| US10/797,676 US20040170885A1 (en) | 1998-06-16 | 2004-03-10 | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP29034098A JP3444530B2 (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1998-10-13 | Fuel cell |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2000123842A true JP2000123842A (en) | 2000-04-28 |
| JP3444530B2 JP3444530B2 (en) | 2003-09-08 |
Family
ID=17754797
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP29034098A Expired - Lifetime JP3444530B2 (en) | 1998-06-16 | 1998-10-13 | Fuel cell |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3444530B2 (en) |
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