JP2000251910A - Solid high polymer electrolyte fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell having no possibility of clogging by water produced in a cell and having a simple structure, in a solid high polymer electrolyte fuel cell having the cell formed by intervening a solid high polymer electrolyte film between a fuel electrode and an oxidizer electrode. SOLUTION: In this cell 1, a conductive plate 7 is disposed outside an oxidizer electrode 12 so as to cover the surface of the electrode, and a sheet of water absorptive material 8 is disposed so as to cover the outside surface of the conductive plate 7. Plural oxidizer gas supply grooves 71 to supply oxidizer gas to the surface of the oxidizer electrode 12 are formed on the conductive plate 7, and plural communicating holes 72 to communicate the surface of the water absorptive material 8 and the surface of the oxidizer electrode 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode to supply a fuel gas to the fuel electrode and to supply an oxidant gas to the oxidant electrode. Thus, the present invention relates to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electric power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, fuel cells which have high energy conversion efficiency and which do not generate harmful substances by a power generation reaction have attracted attention. One of such fuel cells is a solid fuel cell which operates at a low temperature of 100 ° C. or less. 2. Description of the Related Art Molecular electrolyte fuel cells are known.

FIG. 12 shows the power generation principle of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A fuel electrode (55) and an oxidant electrode (55) are provided on both sides of an ion-conductive solid polymer electrolyte membrane (54). 56)
And a fuel chamber (57) and an oxidant chamber (58) on both sides thereof to form a battery cell (50).
5) and the oxidant electrode (56) are connected to each other via an external circuit (59).

At the fuel electrode (55), hydrogen H ₂ contained in the fuel gas supplied to the fuel chamber (57) is decomposed into hydrogen ions H ⁺ and electrons e ⁻ , and the hydrogen ions H ⁺ are converted into a solid polymer. while moving toward the inside the membrane (54) in the water molecules hydrated forms at the oxidizing electrode in the electrolyte membrane (54) (56), electron e ^- is the oxidizer electrode to the external circuit (59) ( Flow toward 56). Further, in the oxidant electrode (56), the oxygen O ₂ is contained in the supplied oxidant gas to the oxidant chamber (58), hydrogen was supplied from the fuel electrode (55) ions H ⁺ and electrons e ^- and the reaction As a result, water H ₂ O is generated. In this way, water is generated from hydrogen and oxygen, and an electromotive force is generated in the entire battery.

Since the electromotive force of one battery cell (50) is low,
A plurality of battery cells (50) are connected in series to each other to form a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. For example, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (5) shown in FIG. 13 is obtained by stacking a plurality of flat battery cells (50) on each other, connecting them in series, and integrating them. ), A fuel gas such as hydrogen gas is supplied, and an oxidizing gas such as air is supplied, so that electric power generated by a plurality of battery cells (50) connected in series can be extracted to the outside. I have.

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (5), each battery cell (50) has a plurality of vertically extending fuel gas supply grooves (not shown) and a plurality of horizontally extending oxidizing agents. A gas supply groove (53) is provided. The fuel cell (50) arranged at one end has a fuel gas inlet hole (51).
a) is formed, and a fuel gas outlet hole (52a) is formed in the battery cell (50) disposed at the other end, and a plurality of other battery cells (excluding the battery cells at these ends) are formed. In 50), a through hole for fuel gas supply (51) and a through hole for fuel gas discharge (52) are opened. Then, a plurality of battery cells (5
0) are overlapped with each other, so that the fuel gas inlet hole (51a) and the plurality of fuel gas supply through holes (51) communicate with each other to form one fuel gas supply path,
A plurality of fuel gas discharge through holes (52) and fuel gas outlet holes (52
a) communicate with each other to form one fuel gas discharge path.

[0007] The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (5) is
An oxidizing gas supply manifold (6) for supplying an oxidizing gas to the oxidizing gas supply grooves (53) is provided to cover the exposed side surfaces of the plurality of oxidizing gas supply grooves (53). . The oxidant gas supply manifold (6) is, for example, open downward and open toward the side surface,
The air taken in from the lower opening is sent to the plurality of oxidizing gas supply grooves (53).

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (5), the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet hole (51a) as shown by a solid line arrow in the drawing, and is passed through the fuel gas supply path to each cell. The fuel gas is distributed to the plurality of fuel gas supply grooves formed in the cell (50), and is subjected to a power generation reaction in the process of flowing downward through each fuel gas supply groove. On the other hand, the oxidizing gas is taken in from the opening below the oxidizing gas supply manifold (6) as shown by the broken arrow in the figure, and is fed into the oxidizing gas supply groove (53) through the side opening. , Each oxidant gas supply groove (53)
In the process of flowing electricity.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a specific structure of a battery cell (10) constituted by a laminate of a plurality of plate members. An oxidant electrode (12) is arranged so as to cover one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11), and a plurality of oxidant gas supply grooves (19) are arranged so as to cover the surface of the oxidant electrode (12). The oxidant electrode-side conductive plate (14) having a concave portion is disposed, and a conductive gas separator (16) is disposed outside the oxidant electrode-side conductive plate (14). Also, solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11)
A fuel electrode (13) is arranged so as to cover the other surface of
A plurality of fuel gas supply grooves covering the surface of the fuel electrode (13)
The fuel electrode side conductive plate (17) having the recess (18) is arranged.

In the battery cell (10), the oxidizing gas (33) is fed into the oxidizing gas supply groove (19) of the oxidizing electrode side conductive plate (14), and the fuel electrode side conductive plate
The fuel gas (31) is fed into the fuel gas supply groove (18) of (17). Thereby, in the fuel electrode (13), hydrogen contained in the fuel gas (31) flowing through the fuel gas supply groove (18) is decomposed into hydrogen ions and electrons, and the hydrogen ions are converted into the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11). Move toward the oxidizer electrode (12) in the form of hydrated ions. On the other hand, in the oxidant electrode (12), oxygen contained in the oxidant gas (33) flowing through the oxidant gas supply groove (19) reacts with hydrogen ions and electrons supplied from the fuel electrode (13). Water is produced.

[0011]

In a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, water generated on the oxidant electrode side is discharged to the outside of the cell while being contained in unreacted oxidant gas (air) as water vapor. However, when a part of the water vapor is condensed and liquefied, the liquid water flows through the oxidizing gas supply groove (19). In this case, when the amount of generated water temporarily increases, the water blocks the oxidizing gas supply groove (19), and the flow path of the oxidizing gas (33) is shut off.
As a result, there is a problem that the supply of the oxidizing gas (33) to the oxidizing electrode (12) becomes uneven and a sufficient electromotive force cannot be obtained.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a strip-shaped water absorbing material (15) is laid at the bottom of the oxidant gas supply groove (19) of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (14), and the oxidant electrode (12) is laid. There has been proposed a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a structure in which water generated in the above is absorbed by a belt-shaped water absorbing material (15) (see JP-A-6-89730). However, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a complicated structure in which a strip-shaped water absorbing material (15) is laid in each oxidant gas supply groove (19), and in the assembly process, each oxidant gas supply groove (19) Since the band-shaped water-absorbing material (15) must be fixed to the bottom of (19), there is a problem that the process becomes complicated. Further, since each belt-shaped water-absorbing material (15) has only the width of the oxidizing gas supply groove (19), there is a problem that the absorption capacity is insufficient.

Further, the oxidizing gas supply groove is formed so that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the upstream flow path area to the downstream flow path area of the oxidizing gas, thereby accelerating the flow of the oxidizing gas. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a structure that promotes evaporation of water has been proposed (JP-A-6-267564).
issue). However, in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, since the oxidizing gas supply groove whose cross-sectional shape changes as described above must be processed, not only the manufacturing process becomes complicated, but also such a cross-sectional shape is reduced. Since the oxidizing gas supply groove generates a large pressure loss with respect to the oxidizing gas, an air supply fan needs to be installed, and there is a problem that the configuration is complicated. Further, in the downstream flow path area of the oxidizing gas supply groove, there is a problem that water clogging easily occurs because the flow path cross-sectional area is small.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell which has no risk of water clogging and has a simple structure.

[0015]

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention, at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode is covered with a conductive material covering the surface of the electrode. A conductive plate is arranged, a sheet-like water-absorbing material is arranged to cover the outer surface of the conductive plate, and the conductive plate has a gas flow path for supplying gas to the surface of the electrode. In addition, a plurality of communication holes are formed to allow the surface of the water absorbing material and the surface of the electrode to communicate with each other.

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention, the gas passes through the gas passage of the conductive plate.
It is supplied to the surface of the electrode. Water generated at the electrode or supplied from the outside to the electrode passes through the communication hole of the conductive plate, reaches the surface of the water absorbing material, and is absorbed by the water absorbing material. Here, the water-absorbing material is formed in a sheet shape covering the conductive plate, has a sufficient water-absorbing capacity, and exhibits a sufficient water-absorbing ability even when the amount of generated or supplied water increases. In addition, there is no risk of water clogging.

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention, a conductive plate (7) is disposed outside the oxidant electrode (12) so as to cover the surface of the electrode. A sheet-like water-absorbing material (8) is disposed so as to cover the outer surface of the conductive plate (7). The conductive plate (7) is used to supply an oxidizing gas to the surface of the oxidizing electrode (12). A plurality of oxidizing gas supply grooves (71) are formed, and a plurality of communication holes (72) for opening the surface of the water absorbing material (8) and the surface of the oxidizing electrode (12) to each other are opened. Have been.

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention, the oxidizing gas (33) passes through the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) of the conductive plate (7), and flows into the oxidizing electrode (12). Supplied to the surface. The water generated at the oxidant electrode (12) passes through the communication hole (72) of the conductive plate (7), reaches the surface of the water absorbing material (8), and is absorbed by the water absorbing material (8). Is done. here,
The water absorbing material (8) is formed in a sheet shape covering the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7), has a sufficient water absorbing capacity, and has a sufficient water absorbing capacity even when the amount of generated water increases. Therefore, there is no possibility that water clogging occurs in the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) and the communication hole (72).

More specifically, the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) is recessed on the surface of the conductive plate (7) facing the water absorbing material (8).
The communication hole (72) is formed on the bottom surface of the oxidant gas supply groove (71), and reaches the surface facing the oxidant electrode (12). In the specific configuration, the oxidizing gas (33) is supplied to the conductive plate (7).
Flows into the communication hole (72) through the oxidizing gas supply groove (71),
It is supplied to the surface of the oxidant electrode (12) through the communication hole (72).
The water generated at the oxidant electrode (12) is
Through the communication hole (72) and the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) of (7), the water reaches the surface of the water absorbing material (8) and is absorbed by the water absorbing material (8).

In a specific configuration, the conductive plate
(7) is formed entirely of a porous conductive material, or
At least the inner peripheral wall of the communication hole (75) has porosity.
In the specific configuration, water as a liquid generated at the oxidant electrode (12) penetrates into the inside or the porous portion of the conductive plate (7), and the inside of the conductive plate (7) or After passing through the porous portion, it reaches the water absorbing material (8), and the water absorbing material (8)
Is absorbed by

In a specific configuration, the water absorbing material (8)
The whole is formed of a conductive material, or at least a contact portion with the conductive plate (7) has conductivity across its front and back. Thereby, the conductive plate (7) and the water absorbing material (8) are electrically connected to each other, for example, the water absorbing material.
The series connection with the adjacent battery cell is realized via the conductive gas separator disposed outside (8).

[0022]

According to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, since the sheet-like water-absorbing material exhibits a sufficient water-absorbing ability, there is no risk of water clogging. Can be formed in a sheet shape and simply disposed outside the conductive plate, so that the structure is simple.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention has a plurality of battery cells (1) superimposed on each other, connected in series, and integrated. Each of the battery cells (1) has a laminate structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and an oxidant electrode (12) and a conductive material are provided on the surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11) on the oxidant electrode side. plate
(7), a sheet-shaped conductive water-absorbing material (8), and a conductive gas separator (16) are arranged, and the fuel electrode side surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11) is Pole (13),
And a fuel electrode side conductive plate (17).

Here, the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7)
Is formed by firing carbon powder, for example, and has porosity. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
A plurality of oxidizing gas supply grooves (71) extending in the horizontal direction are recessed in a contact surface with the water absorbing material (8), and an oxidizing gas supply groove (71) is provided on the bottom surface of each oxidizing gas supply groove (71). A plurality of communication holes (72) penetrating to the contact surface with the pole (12) are provided.

In the battery cell (1), the oxidizing gas supply groove of the oxidizing electrode side conductive plate (7) is formed in the same manner as in the prior art.
The oxidant gas (33) is sent to the fuel electrode (71), and the fuel gas (3) is supplied to the fuel gas supply groove (18) of the fuel electrode side conductive plate (17).
1) is sent. Thereby, in the fuel electrode (13), hydrogen contained in the fuel gas (31) flowing through the fuel gas supply groove (18) is decomposed into hydrogen ions and electrons, and the hydrogen ions are converted into the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11). Move toward the oxidizer electrode (12). On the other hand, in the oxidant electrode (12), the oxidant gas (33) flowing through the oxidant gas supply groove (71) of the oxidant electrode-side conductive plate (7) passes through the communication hole (72) and the oxidant electrode (12). Oxygen contained in the oxidizing gas (33) reaches the surface of the fuel electrode (1).
Water reacts with the hydrogen ions and electrons supplied from 3) to produce water.

When the water thus produced condenses into a liquid, the liquid permeates the porous conductive plate (7) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 (a). Then, it passes through the inside of the conductive plate (7), reaches the surface of the water absorbing material (8), and is absorbed by the water absorbing material (8). When the generated water is water vapor, the water vapor passes through the communication hole (72) of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7) as shown by the arrow in FIG. ) Into the oxidant gas supply groove (7
After passing through 1), it reaches the surface of the water absorbing material (8) and is absorbed by the water absorbing material (8). In the case where some water vapor condenses and adheres as a liquid to the inner peripheral wall of the oxidizing gas supply groove (71),
The liquid will be absorbed by the water absorbing material (8).

The water absorbing material (8) is formed in a sheet shape covering the entire surface of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7) and has a large surface area and a sufficient absorption capacity. Since almost all of the water is absorbed by the water absorbing material (8), the communication holes (72) and the oxidant gas supply grooves (71) of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7) may be clogged with water. There is no.
As a result, as shown by the upward arrow in FIG.
The oxidizer electrode (1) passes from the oxidant gas supply groove (71) through the communication hole (72).
The gas supply path to the surface of 2) is always secured to a sufficient size.

When the material for forming the water absorbing material does not have conductivity, conductivity can be imparted by the method shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). That is, a conductive slurry obtained by mixing a binder with carbon powder is formed into a linear shape, and a plurality of conductive materials (3) are produced.
As shown in (a), after the non-conductive water absorbing material (81) is placed on the contact surface with the conductive plate (7) and the contact surface with the separator (16), the conductive plate (7) and the separator are separated. According to (16), the water absorbing material (81) and the conductive material (3) are pressed from both sides.
As a result, the conductive material (3) penetrates into the water absorbing material (81), and as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the water absorbing material (81) has a conductive portion (82) at the contact portion with the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7) and the separator (16).
Are formed to realize an electrical connection between the conductive plate (7) and the separator (16).

When the oxidant electrode side conductive plate is formed from a conductive material having no porosity, the oxidant electrode side conductive plate is condensed on the oxidant electrode (12) side by the structure shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Water can be sent to the water absorbing material (8). That is, a porous layer (9) made of, for example, a mixture of resin and carbon (hereinafter, referred to as resin-mixed carbon) is formed to cover the entire surface of the nonporous oxidant electrode-side conductive plate (73). The porous layer (9)
In the step of forming the oxidizing agent electrode side conductive plate (7
Spray is applied to the surface of 3), and then a drying treatment is performed at 200 ° C. for 1 hour. Thereby, a porous layer (9) in which the porosity of carbon is maintained is obtained. In addition, the mixing ratio of the resin and the type of the resin in the
By selecting the same and similar mixing ratio and type as (73), the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7
3) The fixing force against 3) can be increased. For example, as in the case of the conductive plate (73), carbon black and a phenol resin are mixed at a weight ratio of 85:15 to produce a resin-mixed carbon.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the liquid water generated on the oxidant electrode (12) side is first formed on the surface of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (73). And then passes through the porous layer (9) formed on the inner peripheral wall of the communication hole (75) and the oxidant gas supply groove (74), and then passes through the oxidant electrode side conductive layer. Porous layer (9) formed on the back surface of the porous plate (73)
To water absorbing material (8).

In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, since the sheet-like water absorbing material (8) exhibits a sufficient water absorbing ability, the oxidizing gas supply to the oxidizing electrode side conductive plate (7) is performed. There is no risk of water clogging in the groove (71) or the communication hole (72), and stable power generation can be performed for a long time. or,
Since the water absorbing material (8) may be formed in a sheet shape and simply sandwiched between the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (7) and the separator (16), as shown in FIG. The structure is simpler than that of a conventional fuel cell in which a belt-shaped water absorbing material (15) is laid on 19).

In order to demonstrate the effects of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, the effective electrode area was 100 cm ² , the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11) was formed from a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membrane, and A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which the agent electrode (12) is formed of Pt-supported carbon and the fuel electrode (13) is formed of Pt-Ru-supported carbon, and has the structure shown in FIG. And a comparative battery having no water-absorbing material shown in FIG. 8 were prototyped, and the relationship between the power generation time and the cell voltage was examined. The result shown in FIG. 10 was obtained.

As is apparent from FIG. 10, the cell of the present invention can obtain a substantially constant cell voltage even after the power generation time has passed for 4 hours, while the battery of the comparative example has a long power generation time. , The cell voltage gradually decreases, and after 3 hours, the cell voltage sharply decreases.

From the above, in the comparative example battery, water clogging occurs in a part of the oxidant gas supply groove (19) of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (14) as the power generation time elapses, and the oxidant gas It is estimated that the supply of (33) became uneven.
On the other hand, in the battery of the present invention, the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) and the communication hole of the oxidizing electrode side conductive plate (7) are irrespective of the elapse of the power generation time due to the water absorbing ability exhibited by the water absorbing material (8). It is estimated that no water clogging occurs in (72), and the supply of the oxidizing gas (33) is performed uniformly and stably.

In the battery of the present invention and the battery of the comparative example, the supply amount of the oxidizing gas was gradually reduced to increase the ratio of the amount of the oxidizing agent used for the power generation reaction, that is, the oxidizing agent utilization rate. When the change of the cell voltage at that time was examined, the result shown in FIG. 11 was obtained. As is clear from FIG. 11, in the battery of the present invention, a substantially constant voltage was obtained irrespective of the increase in the oxidant utilization rate, whereas in the comparative example battery, the voltage was increased as the oxidant utilization rate increased. Is declining.

From the above, in the comparative example battery, a part of the oxidant gas supply groove (19) of the oxidant electrode side conductive plate (14) is deteriorated due to the deterioration of the power generation condition due to the decrease of the oxidant gas supply amount.
It is presumed that water clogging occurred in the water and the supply of the oxidizing gas (33) became uneven. On the other hand, in the battery of the present invention, the water absorbing ability of the water absorbing material (8) allows the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) of the oxidizing electrode side conductive plate (7) to communicate with the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) despite the deterioration of the power generation conditions. It is presumed that no water clogging occurs in the hole (72), and the supply of the oxidizing gas (33) is performed uniformly and stably.

The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. For example, the oxidant electrode-side conductive plate (7) shown in FIG. 3 can be arranged upside down. Also, the oxidant electrode-side conductive plate according to the present invention.
The water absorbing structure of (7) and the water absorbing material (8) can be adopted on the fuel electrode side, thereby preventing water clogging due to moisture contained in the humidified fuel gas (31). I can do it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a battery cell constituting the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a water absorbing structure employed in the battery cell and its operation.

FIG. 5 is a process diagram illustrating a method for imparting conductivity to a non-conductive water-absorbing material.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a porous layer is formed on the surface of a non-porous conductive plate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional battery cell.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional example in which a belt-shaped water absorbing material is laid in an oxidizing gas supply groove.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between a power generation time and a cell voltage.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between an oxidant utilization rate and a cell voltage.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the power generation principle of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Battery cell (11) Solid polymer electrolyte membrane (12) Oxidizer electrode (7) Oxidizer electrode side conductive plate (71) Oxidizer gas supply groove (72) Communication hole (8) Water absorbing material (16) Separator (13) Fuel electrode (17) Fuel electrode side conductive plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koji Yasou 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuo Miyake 2-chome, Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Nishio 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 5H026 AA06 BB04 CC03 CX04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell comprising at least one battery cell having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode, wherein a fuel gas is supplied to the fuel electrode and an oxidant gas is supplied to the oxidant electrode. In a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell that supplies power to the electrodes and generates power in the battery cells, at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode is covered with a conductive material that covers the surface of the electrode. A conductive plate is arranged, a sheet-like water-absorbing material is arranged to cover the outer surface of the conductive plate, and the conductive plate has a gas flow path for supplying gas to the surface of the electrode. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is formed and has a plurality of communication holes for connecting the surface of the water absorbing material and the surface of the electrode to each other. 2. At least one of a fuel electrode (13) and an oxidizer electrode (12) having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (11) interposed therebetween.
A solid polymer that has two battery cells (1) and supplies fuel gas to the fuel electrode (13) and supplies oxidant gas to the oxidant electrode (12) to generate electric power in the battery cell (1). In the electrolyte fuel cell, a conductive plate (7) is disposed outside the oxidant electrode (12) so as to cover the surface of the electrode, and to cover the surface outside the conductive plate (7). A sheet-like water-absorbing material (8) is arranged, and a plurality of oxidizing gas supply grooves (71) for supplying an oxidizing gas to the surface of the oxidizing electrode (12) are provided on the conductive plate (7). And a plurality of communication holes (72) for connecting the surface of the water-absorbing material (8) and the surface of the oxidant electrode (12) to each other. Type fuel cell. The oxidizing gas supply groove (71) is recessed on the surface of the conductive plate (7) facing the water absorbing material (8), and has a communication hole (72).
3. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the opening is formed on the bottom surface of the oxidizing gas supply groove (71) and reaches the surface facing the oxidizing electrode (12). 4. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the conductive plate is formed of a porous conductive material. 5. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the conductive plate has at least an inner peripheral wall of the communication hole having porosity. 6. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the water absorbing material (8) is formed from a conductive material. 7. The solid according to claim 2, wherein the water-absorbing material (8) has conductivity at least at a contact portion with the conductive plate (7) across the front and back surfaces thereof. Polymer electrolyte fuel cell.