JP2007134214A - Method for inspecting and manufacturing fuel cell electrolyte film, and its manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for inspecting fuel cell electrolyte film which can inspect elastic modulus, thickness, and the like efficiently; a method for manufacturing fuel cell electrolyte film which includes an inspection step by the inspecting method; and an apparatus for manufacturing fuel cell electrolyte film, to which the inspecting method and the manufacturing method is applicable. <P>SOLUTION: The method for inspecting fuel cell electrolyte film includes a step for making a polarized light 5 incident to an electrolyte film 11. The inspection of the elastic modulus, the thickness, and the like of the electrolyte film 11 is performed by measuring the rotation angle of a transmitted light 6 having transmitted the electrolyte film 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a method for manufacturing the electrolyte membrane, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same. In particular, the present invention is applicable to a method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which can efficiently inspect an elastic modulus, thickness, etc., a method for manufacturing a fuel cell including an inspection step by the inspection method, and the inspection method and manufacturing method. The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell.

  A fuel cell is based on an electrochemical reaction in a membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as “MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly)”) including an electrolyte and electrodes (anode and cathode) disposed on both sides of the electrolyte. The generated electric energy is taken out through separators disposed on both sides of the MEA. Among fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (hereinafter referred to as “PEFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell)”) used in household cogeneration systems and automobiles, etc., operate at low temperatures. Is possible. In addition, PEFC has attracted attention as an optimal power source for electric vehicles and portable power sources because of its high energy conversion efficiency, short start-up time, and small and lightweight system.

  A single cell of PEFC includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode provided with at least a catalyst layer, and a separator, and its theoretical electromotive force is 1.23V. However, such a low electromotive force is not sufficient as a power source for an electric vehicle or the like, and usually, a single cell is stacked in series to form a cell stack, and ends at both ends in the stacking direction of the cell stack. A stack type fuel cell formed by arranging plates and the like is used.

  By the way, at the time of PEFC power generation, water is generated by an electrochemical reaction in the cathode electrode. Such water can contribute to expression of proton conductivity of the electrolyte membrane by humidifying the electrolyte membrane and maintaining the wet state of the electrolyte membrane. For example, when a large amount of water is generated in the cathode electrode, the MEA The inner electrolyte membrane, electrode, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as “electrolyte membrane etc.”) expand. Here, fastening pressure is applied to the stack-type PEFC from the end. Therefore, when the electrolyte membrane or the like expands in this manner, the pressure applied to these components increases, and the electrolyte membrane or the like is easily damaged.

  On the other hand, the PEFC electrolyte membrane and the like during non-power generation where water is not generated are likely to dry and shrink. That is, when the power generation / stop of the PEFC is repeated, the electrolyte membrane is repeatedly expanded and contracted. Here, the electrolyte membrane plays a role of conducting protons generated at the anode electrode to the cathode electrode. Therefore, when the electrolyte membrane is damaged, the power generation performance and durability of the PEFC are likely to deteriorate. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing damage to the electrolyte membrane and improving the power generation performance and durability of PEFC, the electrolyte membrane desirably has appropriate elasticity.

  On the other hand, from the viewpoint of obtaining a PEFC having good power generation performance, it is desirable to produce an electrolyte membrane that satisfies certain standards for its product thickness, elastic modulus, and the like. Therefore, in general, at the manufacturing stage of PEFC, the manufactured electrolyte membrane is inspected to inspect the properties (for example, thickness) of the electrolyte membrane, and so-called defective products are excluded. For example, the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is generally measured by cutting out the produced electrolyte membrane and directly using a caliper or the like. However, such a method has a problem that the inspection efficiency is liable to be lowered and it is difficult to evaluate physical properties such as elastic modulus.

  Until now, several techniques aimed at evaluating the properties of membrane-like substances including electrolyte membranes have been disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 includes an ion that includes a step of changing the humidity around the ion exchange membrane and a step of obtaining a small-angle scattering diagram of the ion exchange membrane under different humidity conditions related to the ion exchange membrane. An exchange membrane evaluation method is disclosed. According to this technique, it is said that the molecular structure of the ion exchange membrane can be accurately evaluated only by using an X-ray measuring apparatus that is a widely used apparatus. Ionic conductivity can be measured. In addition, the ion exchange membrane in patent document 1 is corresponded to the said electrolyte membrane.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique relating to a film inspection method for detecting defects generated in a film by irradiating light from the side surface of the film and observing from the surface of the film, and a film using the inspection method. A technique relating to a film inspection apparatus for detecting a defect occurring in the above is disclosed. According to this technique, it is said that a film inspection method and inspection apparatus that can be easily found even if the defects are minute are provided.
JP 2004-20475 A JP 2004-150971 A

  However, while the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can measure the ionic conductivity, it has a problem that it cannot measure the elastic modulus, which is an important property of the electrolyte membrane. In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is difficult to measure a thickness, an elastic modulus, and the like of a film while it can detect a defect.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that can efficiently inspect the properties of an electrolyte membrane typified by elastic modulus and the like, a method for producing a fuel cell electrolyte membrane including an inspection step by the inspection method, It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus applicable to an inspection method and a manufacturing method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following means. That is,
The invention described in claim 1 solves the above problem by a method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising the step of making polarized light incident on the electrolyte membrane.

  Here, the electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell according to the present invention can be an electrolyte membrane used in a normal PEFC or the like as long as it can transmit polarized light, and may be provided with a reinforcing layer or the like. .

  The invention described in claim 2 is a film forming step, a step of making polarized light incident on an electrolyte membrane formed by the film forming step, a rotation angle measuring step of measuring a rotation angle of transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane, The above-mentioned problems are solved by a method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell.

  The invention according to claim 3 includes a film thickness control step for controlling the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane using the measured value of the rotation angle in the method for manufacturing the electrolyte membrane for fuel cell according to claim 2. It is characterized by being able to.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a polarization incidence means for emitting polarized light to be incident on the electrolyte membrane, a detection means for detecting transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane, and a film thickness for controlling the thickness of the electrolyte membrane. The above-mentioned problem is solved by an apparatus for producing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, comprising a control means.

  Here, the film thickness control means means a means capable of controlling the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane by controlling the operation. Specific examples of the film thickness control means include a film forming means for forming and extruding an electrolyte membrane from a raw material, a take-up means for taking up the formed electrolyte film, and a winding means for taking up the electrolyte film. be able to. Further, as an example of the operation control mode of the film thickness control means, a mode in which one or more of the extrusion speed of the electrolyte membrane extruded from the film forming means, the rotation speed of the take-up means, or the rotation speed of the winding means is controlled. Can be mentioned.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, polarized light is incident on the electrolyte membrane. Here, since the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells has a high dielectric constant, the plane of polarization of the transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane rotates. The magnitude of the rotation angle is proportional to the thickness of the electrolyte membrane and the elastic modulus. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that can easily inspect the thickness, elastic modulus, and the like of the electrolyte membrane.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotation angle measuring step of measuring the rotation angle of the transmitted light that has passed through the electrolyte membrane. Therefore, by injecting polarized light into the electrolyte membrane and measuring the rotation angle of the transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane, the thickness and elastic modulus of the electrolyte membrane can be inspected in a short time without cutting out and extracting the electrolyte membrane. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that can efficiently inspect the thickness, elastic modulus, and the like of the electrolyte membrane.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is controlled using the measured value of the rotation angle, the thickness of the electrolyte membrane can be controlled with high accuracy. A manufacturing method can be provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to control the operation of the film thickness control means using the value of the rotation angle of the polarization detected by the detection means. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus for manufacturing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that can easily control the thickness, elastic modulus and the like of the electrolyte membrane.

  Water is generated during operation of the PEFC, and an ordinary fuel cell electrolyte membrane (hereinafter simply referred to as “electrolyte membrane”) provided in the PEFC has water absorption. Tends to expand. On the other hand, since no water is generated when the PEFC is stopped, the electrolyte membrane is dried and easily contracted. Therefore, from the viewpoint of forming an electrolyte membrane that can withstand a long period of time with PEFC that is repeatedly activated and stopped, the electrolyte membrane preferably has a certain elastic modulus. Therefore, a method capable of efficiently inspecting the elastic modulus and the like of the electrolyte membrane is desired.

  On the other hand, the thickness of the electrolyte membrane (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “film thickness”) is within a predetermined range from the viewpoint of making PEFC having high output density and good durability. It is preferable. Therefore, the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is also inspected when manufacturing the electrolyte membrane. In the past, the thickness of the electrolyte membrane has been measured by a method such as extracting the electrolyte membrane cut out from the production line and mechanically bringing a tool such as a caliper into contact with the electrolyte membrane. However, this inspection has a problem that the number of processes is increased and the inspection efficiency tends to be reduced because the electrolyte membrane needs to be cut out and extracted.

  The present invention has been made from such a viewpoint, and the gist of the present invention is that the polarized light is applied to the electrolyte membrane, and the rotation angle of the polarization plane of the transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane is measured without contacting the electrolyte membrane. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which can inspect the film thickness and also investigate properties such as elastic modulus. Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells which can improve inspection efficiency by applying this test | inspection method to the manufacturing method of the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells is provided. In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that can be applied to the above-described inspection method and manufacturing method and can efficiently manufacture the electrolyte membrane. In addition, although the technique of measuring a film thickness by applying polarized light to a film-like substance has been disclosed so far (for example, JP 2005-83834 A, JP 10-19531 A), an electrolyte film A technique for inspecting the properties of the electrolyte membrane by applying a polarized light to is not disclosed. Compared with conventional members that have been the subject of film thickness measurement using polarized light, the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells has a large dielectric constant, so the rotation angle of transmitted light is large, and inspection using the measurement result of the rotation angle It has a feature that it is easy to improve accuracy.

  The fuel cell electrolyte membrane inspection method, fuel electrolyte membrane production method, and fuel cell electrolyte membrane production apparatus of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Inspection method of electrolyte membrane for fuel cell 1.1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) shows polarized light incident on the electrolyte membrane and the electrolyte membrane. The side surface and the transmitted light which permeate | transmitted the electrolyte membrane are shown schematically. On the other hand, FIGS. 1B and 1C show the polarization plane and the transmitted light plane detected by the detection device, and schematically show the field of view of the detection device.

  The electrolyte membrane 11 shown in FIG. 1 (A) is a fluorine-based electrolyte membrane provided with a fluorine-containing ion exchange resin, and the visible light polarization 5 formed through a polarizing plate or the like is a laminated surface (electrolyte) of the electrolyte membrane 11. The anode and cathode electrodes are laminated on both sides of the film, and the MEA is produced in the normal direction. The same applies hereinafter. Here, the illustrated electrolyte membrane 11 can transmit visible light, and the fluorine-containing ion exchange resin (hereinafter referred to as “electrolyte component”) is a material having a large refractive index of light. Therefore, a part of the polarized light 5 is transmitted through the electrolyte membrane 11, and becomes a rotated transmitted light 6.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 1B and 1C schematically show the polarization plane of the polarized light 5 and the plane of the transmitted light 6 detected by the detection device. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the plane of polarization is transmitted through the electrolyte membrane 11 and thereby rotated by an angle θ to become a transmitted light surface shown in FIG. The rotation angle θ depends on the wavelength of the polarized light 5 and is proportional to the film thickness and the dielectric constant, between the dielectric constant and the elastic modulus of the electrolyte component, and the crystallinity of the elastic modulus and the electrolyte component. There is a correlation. Therefore, when the thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 is known, it is possible to derive the elastic modulus, crystallinity, etc. of the electrolyte component using the rotation angle θ, while using the rotation angle θ. Thus, the film thickness can be derived.

  In the inspection method of the present invention, the specific inspection form is not particularly limited. However, when film thickness inspection is performed, from the viewpoint of improving inspection efficiency, for example, the relationship between the rotation angle θ and the crystallinity when the film thickness is constant, and the case where the crystallinity is constant It is preferable to inspect the relationship between the rotation angle θ and the film thickness in advance while referring to the mapped data.

1.2. Second Embodiment FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an inspection method for an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (A) shows polarized light incident on the laminated surface of the electrolyte membrane. 1 schematically shows a side surface of an electrolyte membrane and transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane. On the other hand, FIGS. 2B and 2C show polarization planes of polarized light and transmitted light detected by the detection device, and schematically show the field of view of the detection device. 2, when the same configuration as the member / substance shown in FIG. 1 is adopted, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1 are given, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The electrolyte membrane 12 shown in FIG. 2 (A) is an electrolyte membrane with a reinforcing layer produced by a method such as immersing and lifting the reinforcing layer 12x in a liquid electrolyte component including a fluorine-containing ion exchange resin. The electrolyte component is coated on the surface of the reinforcing layer 12x formed of a porous resin such as permeable polyethylene. A part of the polarized light 5 incident on the laminated surface of the electrolyte membrane 12 is rotated by an angle θ and transmitted through the electrolyte component layer formed on one surface of the reinforcing layer 12x. Rotates to pass through the reinforcing layer 12x, and then further rotates by an angle θ to pass through the electrolyte component layer formed on the other surface of the reinforcing layer 12x, resulting in transmitted light 7 (FIG. 2B ) And (C)). As described above, if the reinforcing layer can transmit light, the inspection method of the present invention can be applied even to the electrolyte membrane provided with the reinforcing layer.

2. 3. Fuel Cell Electrolyte Membrane Manufacturing Apparatus FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a fuel cell electrolyte membrane manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “manufacturing apparatus”). The manufacturing apparatus of the form which can control the film thickness of an electrolyte membrane by controlling the rotational speed of a means is shown. 3, members having the same configuration as in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in the figure, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a film forming means 20 for kneading, extruding and extruding a raw material of an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell (for example, a fluorine-based electrolyte component having a fluorine-containing ion exchange resin). , Take-up means (pinch rolls) 30, 30,..., And a take-up means 50 for taking up the electrolyte membrane 11. Further, polarized light incident means 40 that should emit polarized light 5 incident on the electrolyte membrane 11, detection means 45 that should detect the transmitted light 6 transmitted through the electrolyte membrane 11, take-up means 30, 30,. Drive means 35, 35,... To be driven are provided, and the operation of the drive means 35, 35,.

  The control means 60 is provided with a CPU 61 that performs operation control of the drive means 35, 35,... And a storage device for the CPU 61. The CPU 61 is configured by combining a microprocessor unit and various peripheral circuits necessary for its operation, and a storage device for the CPU 61 is, for example, a program required for controlling the operation of the driving means 35, 35,. A ROM 62 that stores data relating to the film thickness after control, a RAM 63 that functions as a work area for the CPU 61, and the like are combined. In addition to the configuration, the CPU 61 is combined with software stored in the ROM 62, whereby the control means 60 in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present invention functions.

  The output signal related to the rotation angle θ of the polarized light 5 detected by the detection unit 45 reaches the CPU 61 as an input signal via the input port 64. The CPU 61 controls an operation command to the driving means 35, 35,... Via the output port 65 based on the input signal and the program stored in the ROM 62. The drive means 35, 35,... Adjust the rotational speed of the take-out means 30, 30,... According to the operation command given from the CPU 61. That is, when the calculated film thickness exceeds the upper limit of the appropriate error range, the rotation speed is reduced. On the other hand, when the film thickness is less than the lower limit of the appropriate error range, the rotation speed is increased.

3. Method for Producing Fuel Cell Electrolyte Membrane FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of a method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “manufacturing method”). . In the manufacturing method of the present invention, polarized light is incident on the electrolyte membrane, the rotation angle of the polarization plane of the transmitted light (polarized light) transmitted through the electrolyte membrane is measured, and the electrolyte membrane is inspected using the measured rotation angle. It is characterized by having an inspection process. FIG. 4 shows a manufacturing method in which the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane can be controlled by controlling the operation of the take-up means. Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the method for manufacturing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment includes a coefficient calculation step (step S1) and a film thickness detection step (step S2). As described above, since the rotation angle θ of the polarization plane and the film thickness T are proportional, the relationship between θ and T is
T = aθ (1)
It can be expressed as. Therefore, in step S1 according to the present embodiment, the coefficient a of the above equation (1) is calculated in advance. In subsequent step S2, the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 is calculated by using the coefficient a calculated in step S1 and the rotation angle θ of the polarization plane actually measured.

  In step S1 according to the present embodiment, an electrolyte membrane (standard sample) having the same components as the electrolyte membrane 11 produced by the production method of the present invention is produced (step S11), and the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane produced in step S11. Is measured mechanically with calipers or the like (step S12). Thereafter, the rotation angle θ of the transmitted light that has passed through the electrolyte membrane is measured by making polarized light incident on the electrolyte membrane whose film thickness has been measured in step S12 (step S13), and obtained through the above steps S11, S12, and S13. A coefficient a is calculated from the obtained film thickness T and rotation angle θ (step S14).

  After calculating the value of the coefficient a in the step S1, the manufacturing method according to this embodiment detects the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 and inspects the quality of the electrolyte membrane 11 in step S2 described below.

  In the step S2 according to the present embodiment, first, an electrolyte membrane is formed by kneading the raw materials (step S21), and the electrolyte membrane is taken up by the taking means 30, 30,... (Step S22). Next, the polarized light 5 is incident on the electrolyte membrane 11 that has undergone step S22, and the rotation angle θ of the transmitted light 6 that has passed through the electrolyte membrane 11 is measured (step S23). And the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 which permeate | transmitted polarized light in the process 23 is calculated by calculating using the coefficient a calculated by the said process S1, and the rotation angle (theta) measured by process S23 (process). S24). The data relating to the thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 calculated in this way is sent to the control means 60 for controlling the operation of the drive means 35, 35,... For driving the take-up means 30, 30,. In means 60, it is determined whether or not the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is within an appropriate error range (step S25). If an affirmative determination is made in step S25, since the electrolyte membrane 11 has a thickness within the appropriate error range, the operation of the take-up means 30, 30,... Is wound up (step S26). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S25, since the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 is outside the appropriate error range, an operation command is sent from the control means 60 to the drive means 35, 35,. The operation is controlled so that the film thickness is within the appropriate error range (step S27).

  That is, according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, the production line of the electrolyte membrane is stopped by calculating the coefficient a in advance and measuring the rotation angle by making polarized light incident on the manufactured electrolyte membrane. The film thickness can be controlled without doing so. Therefore, according to this invention, the manufacturing method of an electrolyte membrane which can improve the manufacturing efficiency of an electrolyte membrane can be provided.

  In the above description of the manufacturing method, the mode of calculating the coefficient a using the measured value of the rotation angle θ of the polarization plane is described. However, the mode of calculating the coefficient a is not limited to this. It is also possible to derive from such measurements. For example, the rotation angle θ when a laser beam having a wavelength of 590 nm is incident on a fluorine-based electrolyte membrane (43 μm thick) is about 84.5 °.

  In the above description, the mode of determining the quality of the manufactured electrolyte membrane 11 by calculating the thickness of the electrolyte membrane 11 has been described, but the use of polarized light in the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, it can be used to determine whether or not the dielectric constant, elastic modulus, or crystallinity of the electrolyte membrane 11 is within a target value range.

  So far, the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the form in which the film thickness of the electrolyte membrane can be controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the take-off means have been described, but the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention are limited to the form. Is not to be done. Examples of other forms include a form capable of controlling the extrusion speed of the electrolyte membrane extruded from the film forming means and a form capable of controlling the rotation speed of the winding means. In addition, it can also be set as the form which can control the film thickness of an electrolyte membrane by combining 2 or more of said each control form. Note that when the rotational speed of the winding means is controlled, the operation of the driving means for driving the winding means may be controlled.

  Further, in the above description, the form in which the thickness of the electrolyte membrane is controlled is described, but the properties of the electrolyte membrane that can be controlled by the present invention are not limited to the thickness. If the rotational speed of the take-up means or the take-up means is changed, the tension of the electrolyte membrane taken up by the take-up means through the take-up means changes. Therefore, according to the present invention, properties such as the elastic modulus and crystallinity of the electrolyte membrane can be controlled.

It is the schematic which shows the test | inspection method of the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells of this invention concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the test | inspection method of the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells of this invention concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of the form of the manufacturing apparatus of the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the manufacturing method of the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

5 Polarized light 6, 7 Transmitted light 11, 12 Electrolyte membrane 12x Reinforcement layer 20 Film forming means 30 Take-up means (pinch roll)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 35 Drive means 40 Polarized light incident means 45 Detection means 50 Winding means 60 Control means 100 Manufacturing apparatus of electrolyte membrane for fuel cells

Claims (4)

A method for inspecting an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising the step of making polarized light incident on the electrolyte membrane. A film forming step, a step of making polarized light incident on the electrolyte membrane formed by the film forming step, and
And a rotation angle measurement step of measuring a rotation angle of transmitted light that has passed through the electrolyte membrane. A method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell. The method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell according to claim 2, further comprising a film thickness control step of controlling the thickness of the electrolyte membrane using the measured value of the rotation angle. Polarization incident means for emitting polarized light to be incident on the electrolyte membrane, detection means for detecting transmitted light transmitted through the electrolyte membrane, and film thickness control means for controlling the thickness of the electrolyte membrane An apparatus for producing an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell.

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