IP Library Patent Application 11084200
Patent Application
App. No. 11/084,200

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell and manufacturing method thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/084,200
Abstract

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a catalyst layer; a cation exchange resin provided in the catalyst layer; a proton conductive path provided in the cation exchange resin; a carbon material provided in the catalyst layer; and a catalyst metal provided in the catalyst layer. 50 mass % or more of the catalyst metal is loaded on the contact surface between the proton conductive path and the carbon material, and the porosity of the catalyst layer is 65% to 87.5%.

Claims (32)

1 . A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising:

a catalyst layer;

a cation exchange resin provided in said catalyst layer;

a proton conductive path provided in said cation exchange resin;

a carbon material provided in said catalyst layer; and

a catalyst metal provided in said catalyst layer,

wherein 50 mass % or more of said catalyst metal is loaded on a contact surface between said proton conductive path and said carbon material, and

a porosity of said catalyst layer is 65% to 87.5%.

2 . The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the porosity of said catalyst layer is 70% to 85%.

3 . The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according claim 1 , wherein said catalyst metal contains a platinum group metal.

4 . The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2 , wherein said catalyst metal contains a platinum group metal.

5 . A manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

a first process for adsorbing a cation of the catalyst metal to a fixed ion of said cation exchange resin in a mixture of the carbon material and the cation exchange resin;

a second process for reducing said cation after said first process so as to manufacture a mixture X which contains said cation exchange resin, said carbon material and said catalyst metal;

a third process for curing a slurry which contains said mixture X, a substance soluble in acid and a solvent, applied onto a substrate after said second process so as to manufacture a layered product of a catalyst layer containing said substance, and said substrate;

a fourth process for joining said catalyst layer to a cation exchange membrane after said third process so as to manufacture an assembly of said cation exchange membrane and a catalyst electrode; and

a fifth process for bringing said catalyst layer into contact with acid after said fourth process so as to dissolve said substance.

6 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 5 , wherein said substance comprises metal powder or inorganic compound powder.

7 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 5 , wherein said substance comprises nickel powder or calcium carbonate powder.

8 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 5 , wherein said acid in said fifth process comprises sulfuric acid or nitric acid.

9 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 5 , wherein said cation of said catalyst metal in said first process contains a platinum group metal.

10 . A manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising the steps of:

a first process for substituting a cation of a catalyst metal for a cation exchange resin having a fixed anion bonded with a hydrogen ion and said hydrogen ion in a mixture with a carbon material, in a solution;

a second process for decreasing a hydrogen ion concentration of said solution after said first process;

a third process for reducing said cation after said first process so as to manufacture a mixture X containing said cation exchange resin, said carbon material and said catalyst metal;

a fourth process for curing a slurry which contains said mixture X, a substance soluble in acid and a solvent, applied onto a substrate after said second and third processes so as to manufacture a layered product of a catalyst layer containing said substance, and said substrate;

a fifth process for joining said catalyst layer to a cation exchange membrane after said fourth process so as to manufacture an assembly of said cation exchange membrane and a catalyst electrode; and

a sixth process for bringing said catalyst layer into contact with acid after said fifth process so as to dissolve said substance.

11 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 10 , wherein said substance comprises metal powder or inorganic compound powder.

12 . The manufacturing method of thepolymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 10 , wherein said substance comprises nickel powder or calcium carbonate powder.

13 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 10 , wherein said acid in said sixth process comprises sulfuric acid or nitric acid.

14 . The manufacturing method of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 10 , wherein said cation of said catalyst metal in said first process contains a platinum group metal.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2005
From: JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY CO., LTD.
To: GS YUASA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016876/0264 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2005
From: EGAWA, TAKASHI
To: JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016893/0522 →