JP2008123957A - Solid polymer fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a solid polymer fuel cell capable of preventing warpage of a membrane electrode assembly with a gasket caused by heat when molding the membrane electrode assembly with the gasket by making the gasket pinch a reinforced sheet or by processing the gasket into a structure hardly causing warpage. <P>SOLUTION: The solid polymer fuel cell includes the membrane electrode assembly having a cathode 4 and an anode 8 joined to a polymer electrolyte membrane 3 and both faces of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 except the outer peripheral end of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and the gaskets 14a to 14d formed in a frame form surrounding the cathode 4 and the anode 8 joined to the both faces of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 and integrally molded into the membrane electrode assembly 2 by embedding the outer peripheral end of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and furthermore, the reinforced sheet 15 surrounds the membrane electrode assembly 2 and is embedded into the gaskets 14a to 14d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and more particularly to a seal structure of a membrane electrode assembly.

  A conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly formed by adhering a catalyst layer and an electrode substrate to both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a polymer electrolyte membrane, a catalyst layer, and an electrode substrate. An electrolyte / electrode assembly formed by thermocompression bonding of a surrounding gasket is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

And a unit battery (unit cell) is comprised by clamping an electrolyte / electrode assembly with the separator provided with the gas flow path. Then, hydrogen is supplied from the gas flow path of one separator to the catalyst layer on one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane via the electrode base material, and oxygen is supplied from the gas flow path of the other separator to the other side via the electrode base material. Is supplied to the catalyst layer on the surface.
At this time, since the gasket was integrated with the membrane electrode assembly in close contact, leakage of hydrogen or oxygen to the outside of the catalyst layer / electrode assembly was prevented.

JP-A-11-45729

In the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, since the electrolyte / electrode assembly having a gasket is molded by thermocompression bonding as described above, the electrolyte / electrode assembly is greatly deformed (warped) during the molding. This is mainly caused by the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the electrode substrate and the gasket.
When a large warp occurs in the electrolyte / electrode assembly, when the electrolyte / electrode assembly is sandwiched between separators, it becomes difficult to dispose the electrolyte / electrode assembly in a desired position of the separator.
In addition, when the electrolyte / electrode assembly is re-deformed flatly by applying force, bonding between the electrode substrate and the catalyst layer and bonding between the polymer electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layer and the electrode substrate and the gasket are performed. However, it becomes easy to peel off due to the stress of deformation. That is, there arises a problem that the reliability of the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell itself is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. By sandwiching a reinforcing sheet in a gasket or by processing the gasket into a structure that does not easily warp, a membrane electrode assembly with a gasket is provided. An object of the present invention is to obtain a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of suppressing warpage caused by heat during molding.

  The solid polymer fuel cell of the present invention includes a polymer electrode membrane, a membrane electrode assembly having a cathode and an anode bonded to both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane excluding the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a polymer electrolyte. A resin gasket formed in a frame shape surrounding the cathode and anode bonded to both surfaces of the membrane, embedded in the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane and integrally formed in the membrane electrode assembly, and A reinforcing sheet surrounds the membrane electrode assembly and is embedded in the gasket.

  According to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, since the warpage of the membrane electrode assembly with gasket caused by heat can be suppressed during the molding of the membrane electrode assembly with gasket, the gasket is provided when assembling the unit cell. The membrane electrode assembly can be easily arranged at a desired position of the separator. Moreover, it is prevented that the reliability of the membrane electrode assembly with a gasket is impaired. That is, the reliability of the solid polymer fuel cell itself is prevented from being impaired.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a sheet-like membrane electrode assembly 2 and glass fibers as a sealing material arranged so as to extend outward from the entire outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2. It is comprised with at least 1 unit cell 1 provided with the composite resin sheet 13a, 13b and the separator 12 provided so that both surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a, 13b may be clamped.
Then, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a desired electromotive force can be obtained by stacking a plurality of unit cells 1 as necessary.

The membrane electrode assembly 2 also includes a polymer electrolyte membrane 3 and a cathode 4 and an anode 8 that are disposed so as to sandwich both sides except for the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. .
That is, in the membrane electrode assembly 2 viewed from the stacking direction of the cathode 4, the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 and the anode 8, the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is exposed from the cathode 4 and the anode 8. Hereinafter, the stacking direction of the cathode 4, the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and the anode 8 is simply referred to as a stacking direction.

The polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is chemically stable in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment in which the solid polymer fuel cell is operated, has proton conductivity but does not have electron conductivity, and does not pass gas. Those having performance (high gas barrier property) are used.
As the material for the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, a polymer electrolyte composed of a perfluoro main chain and a sulfonic acid group is generally used. The thickness of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is not particularly specified, but generally a thickness of about 50 μm is used.

The cathode 4 includes a cathode catalyst layer 5, a conductive porous layer 6a, and a gas diffusion layer 7a. The cathode 4 is laminated in the order of the cathode catalyst layer 5, the conductive porous layer 6 a and the gas diffusion layer 7 a, and the cathode catalyst layer 5 is disposed in close contact with one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.
The anode 8 includes an anode catalyst layer 9, a conductive porous layer 6b, and a gas diffusion layer 7b. The anode 8 is laminated in the order of the anode catalyst layer 9, the conductive porous layer 6 b and the gas diffusion layer 7 b, and the anode catalyst layer 9 is disposed in close contact with the other surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.

Each of the cathode catalyst layer 5 and the anode catalyst layer 9 is mainly composed of catalyst particles and a mixture of polymer electrolytes that exchange ions with the catalyst particles.
As the catalyst particles, those in which metal fine particles having catalytic activity such as platinum are supported on the surface of carbon black particles are generally used.
As the metal fine particles having catalytic activity, platinum alloys such as platinum-ruthenium alloy, palladium, magnesium, titanium, manganese, lanthanum, nickel-lanthanum alloy, titanium-iron alloy, gold, and the like can also be used.

  The cathode catalyst layer 5 and the anode catalyst layer 9 may be mixed with additives such as inorganic particles, polymer particles, and carbon particles as necessary. Such additives are appropriately used for the purpose of controlling the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity (water repellency) of the cathode catalyst layer 5 and the anode catalyst layer 9 or improving the porosity.

The conductive porous layers 6a and 6b and the gas diffusion layers 7a and 7b are made of a chemically stable material in a high temperature and high humidity environment where the solid polymer fuel cell is operated.
The conductive porous layers 6a and 6b are configured by mixing a particulate conductive material such as carbon black with a binder such as a fluorine resin.

  For the gas diffusion layers 7a and 7b, for example, a conductive porous body formed of carbon fiber such as carbon paper or carbon cloth is used. Further, the gas diffusion layers 7a and 7b are subjected to water repellent treatment by fixing a fluororesin to carbon paper or carbon cloth. The general thickness of the gas diffusion layers 7a and 7b is about several hundred μm.

The separator 12 is a conductive plate that is chemically stable and has a gas barrier property in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment where the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is operated.
For the separator 12, for example, a conductive plate made of carbon or the like is used.
Further, a groove (not shown) serving as a gas flow path is formed on the surface of the separator 12 on the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 side.

The glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a includes sheet-like gaskets 14a and 14b and a glass cloth 15 as a reinforcing sheet sandwiched between the gaskets 14a and 14b.
The glass fiber composite resin sheet 13b includes sheet-like gaskets 14c and 14d and a glass cloth 15 sandwiched between the gaskets 14c and 14d.

  In the gaskets 14a to 14d, windows corresponding to the outer shapes of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 are formed. Further, the glass cloth 15 is formed with a window having the same size as or larger than that of the gaskets 14a to 14d, and surrounds the windows of the gaskets 14a to 14d. In any case, the glass cloth 15 is sandwiched between the gaskets 14a and 14b or the gaskets 14c and 14d on the outer peripheral side away from the cathode 4 and the anode 8.

That is, the gaskets 14 a to 14 d are formed in a frame shape surrounding the cathode 4 and the anode 8 joined to both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and the outer peripheral edge portion where the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is exposed is embedded to form a membrane electrode It is integrally formed with the joined body 2. Further, a glass cloth 15 surrounds the membrane electrode assembly 2 and is embedded in the gaskets 14a to 14d.
Further, the thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d is appropriately set in accordance with the thickness 2 of the membrane electrode assembly.

As described above, the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13 a and 13 b are arranged so as to extend outward from the entire outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2.
The two glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b have been described as extending outward from the entire outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2, but one glass fiber composite resin sheet or three or more glasses are used. The fiber composite resin sheet may be extended outward from the entire outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2.

The gaskets 14a to 14d are made of a material that is chemically stable and has high gas barrier properties in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment where the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is operated.
For example, a polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin sheet can be used for the gaskets 14a to 14d. Moreover, you may use a thermosetting resin sheet as gasket 14a-14d.
Further, the glass cloth 15 as the reinforcing sheet is a glass that is not softened at a temperature at which the gaskets 14a to 14d and the membrane electrode assembly 2 are integrally molded, has high tensile strength, is not conductive, and does not absorb moisture. A woven fabric made of fibers. A woven fabric made of organic fibers having the same properties as the glass cloth 15 can also be used as the reinforcing sheet. For example, an aramid fiber sheet or the like can be used as the organic fiber.
Furthermore, although nonwoven fabrics, such as glass fiber and an organic fiber, can also be used as a reinforcement sheet, it is preferable to use woven fabrics, such as the glass cloth 15 which can make thickness thin.

  A plurality of manifold holes 16 are formed (perforated) in the thickness direction of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b. The manifold hole 16 is connected to the groove of each separator 12 described above, and is used to supply hydrogen gas to the cathode 4 or supply oxygen gas to the anode 8. Further, the manifold hole 16 may be formed to supply a coolant for cooling the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Therefore, the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b are chemically stable with respect to the cooling liquid or the like.

  And the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet as a membrane electrode assembly with a gasket constituted by the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b and the membrane electrode assembly 2 is formed as follows. First, the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b are arranged to face each other from the cathode 4 and anode 8 side so as to embed the outer peripheral edge portion where the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is exposed. In this state, the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b are integrally formed with the membrane electrode assembly 2 by performing hot pressing so that pressure is applied in the stacking direction.

  Since the glass cloth 15 embedded in the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b of the membrane electrode assembly with the glass fiber composite resin sheet configured as described above has high tensile strength, the gaskets 14a to 14d generated by heat are used. It acts to suppress the deformation of the gaskets 14a to 14d against the stress that causes shrinkage.

  Further, the cathode 4 and the anode 8 have a small coefficient of thermal expansion with respect to the gaskets 14a to 14d, and the portions of the gaskets 14a and 14b or the gaskets 14c and 14d apart from the cathode 4 and the anode 8 are greatly deformed by the thermal contraction. Estimated. Therefore, the deformation of the gaskets 14a to 14d can be more effectively suppressed by sandwiching the glass cloth 15 at the portions of the gaskets 14a, 14b or 14c, 14d apart from the cathode 4 and the anode 8. That is, when the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b and the membrane electrode assembly 2 are integrally formed by applying heat, the amount of warpage of the electrode assembly with the glass fiber composite resin sheet is reduced.

Hereinafter, Examples 1 to 6 of a membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of a unit cell 1 applied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Embodiment 1 and comparative examples will be described with reference to the drawings. To do.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 1 in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a solid diagram according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 2 in a polymer type fuel cell, and FIG. 4 is a glass fiber composite of Example 3 in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a membrane electrode assembly with a resin sheet, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 4 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 5 in a solid polymer fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a solid polymer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Type fuel cell Kicking sectional view of a glass fiber composite resin sheet laminated membrane electrode assembly of Example 6, FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a membrane electrode assembly gasket is integrated in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell as a comparative example.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cathode 4 has a cathode catalyst layer 5, a conductive porous layer 6a, and a gas diffusion layer 7a. An anode 8 has an anode catalyst layer 9, a conductive porous layer 6b, and a gas. Although the diffusion layer 7b is provided, the detailed configurations of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 are not shown in FIGS.

Example 1.
The membrane electrode assembly 17A with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 1 shown in FIG. 2 was configured as follows.
As the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, a Nafion (registered trademark of DuPont) film having a thickness of 50 μm was used. The outer shape is a 160 mm square.
The external shape of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 is a square of 150 mm square, the center thereof coincides with the center of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and each side is parallel to each side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. ing. Further, carbon paper having a thickness of 300 μm and a porosity of 80% was used for the gas diffusion layers 7a and 7b of the cathode 4 and the anode 8. The cathode catalyst layer 5 used was a carbon black surface with platinum supported thereon. The anode catalyst layer 9 used was a platinum-ruthenium alloy supported on the carbon black surface.
Each of the gaskets 14a to 14d is a 210 mm square square outer shape and is formed of a polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin sheet having a thickness of 140 μm. The centers of the windows of the gaskets 14 a to 14 d coincide with the center of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and each side is parallel to each side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.

  Further, the glass cloth 15 has a thickness of 60 μm and has the same outer shape as the gaskets 14a to 14d and the same size. Further, the size of the window of the glass cloth 15 is formed in a square whose one side is 10 mm longer than the length of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, the center of the window coincides with the center of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and Each side is parallel to each side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.

  And the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b having the same configuration include the center in the thickness direction of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 and a surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2 (hereinafter referred to as a reference surface). Are arranged symmetrically and in close contact with each other. That is, the glass cloth 15 is arranged at an equal distance from the reference plane.

The manufacturing method of membrane electrode assembly 17A with a glass fiber composite resin sheet is demonstrated.
First, a method for manufacturing the cathode 4 will be described.
The gas diffusion layer 7a was formed as follows. Carbon paper was immersed in a fluororesin dispersion liquid, and the fluororesin dispersion liquid was dried and then heated. Thereby, the fluororesin was fixed on the surface of the carbon paper (carbon fiber surface), and the gas diffusion layer 7a subjected to the water repellent treatment was obtained.

  Further, the conductive porous layer 6a was formed by applying a mixture of carbon black and a fluororesin dispersion liquid onto one surface of the gas diffusion layer 7a by screen printing, and further drying.

Further, the cathode catalyst layer 5 was formed by applying the following cathode catalyst paste to the surface of the conductive porous layer 6a by screen printing and further drying.
The cathode catalyst paste was obtained by adding 1 part by weight of water and 3 parts by weight of a perfluoro polymer electrolyte solution having a concentration of 10% using water as a solvent to 1 part by weight of the cathode catalyst particles, and stirring and mixing. As cathode catalyst particles, 50% platinum supported on carbon black was used. The solvent for the perfluoro polymer electrolyte solution may be ethanol or the like.
The cathode 4 was obtained by the above method.

Next, a method for manufacturing the anode 8 will be described.
First, the gas diffusion layer 7b and the conductive porous layer 6b were formed in the same procedure as the manufacturing method of the gas diffusion layer 7a and the conductive porous layer 6a of the cathode 4.
Furthermore, after applying the following anode catalyst paste to the surface of the conductive porous layer 6b by screen printing, the anode catalyst layer 9 was formed by further drying.

The anode catalyst paste was obtained by adding 1 part by weight of water and 6 parts by weight of a perfluoro polymer electrolyte solution having a concentration of 10% using water as a solvent to 1 part by weight of anode catalyst particles, and stirring and mixing. As anode catalyst particles, platinum-ruthenium-based metal 50% supported on carbon black was used.
The anode 8 was obtained by the above method.
Further, the cathode 4 and the anode 8 manufactured as described above were trimmed so that the outer shape thereof was a square of 150 mm square.

  In addition, the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 was trimmed so that one side thereof was a square 10 mm longer than one side of the cathode 4 and the anode 8, that is, a 160 mm square. (Delete)

Next, a method for forming the membrane electrode assembly 2 will be described.
Then, the cathode 4 is arranged so that the cathode catalyst layer 5 is in contact with the center of one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and the anode 8 so that the anode catalyst layer 9 is in contact with the center of the other surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. Arranged. In this state, the membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained by applying pressure in the stacking direction from the side of the antipolymer electrolyte membrane 3 of the cathode 4 and anode 8 and hot pressing at 150 ° C. for 3 minutes.

Next, a method for forming the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b will be described.
A window having a size corresponding to the outer shape of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 was formed in the center of the gaskets 14a to 14d.

  In addition, a square window having a side length 10 mm longer than the length of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 was formed in the center of the glass cloth 15.

  Then, the glass cloth 15 was sandwiched between the gaskets 14a and 14b and the gaskets 14c and 14d, and further hot-pressed at 180 ° C. to obtain glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b.

Next, a method of integrally forming the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b on the outer peripheral portion of the membrane electrode assembly 2 will be described.
The cathode 4 and the anode 8 of the membrane electrode assembly 2 are fitted into the windows of the gaskets 14a and 14b and the gaskets 14c and 14d of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b, respectively. The sheets 13a and 13b are arranged to face each other. Further, hot pressing was performed at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so as to apply pressure to the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2, and the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber The composite resin sheets 13a and 13b were integrated. Furthermore, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b was formed at a predetermined location.
Thus, a membrane electrode assembly 17A with a glass fiber composite resin sheet was obtained.

Example 2
The membrane electrode assembly 17B with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 2 shown in FIG. 3 was configured as follows.
The thickness of the gaskets 14a and 14b of the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a was 280 μm. Further, the window of the glass cloth 15 is formed in a square whose one side is 3 mm larger than the size of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.
And as for the glass cloth 15 of the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a, the center of the thickness direction corresponds to the reference plane. Further, the arrangement of the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13b is omitted.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Subsequently, the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly 17B with a glass fiber composite resin sheet is demonstrated.
Membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1.
Furthermore, a method for integrally forming the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a on the outer peripheral portion of the membrane electrode assembly 2 will be described.
A square window having a size corresponding to the outer shape of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 was formed in the center of the gaskets 14a and 14b.

Further, a square window having a side length of 3 mm larger than the length of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 was formed in the center of the glass cloth 15.
Then, the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass cloth 15 were aligned so that the membrane electrode assembly 2 was disposed at the center in the window of the glass cloth 15. Further, the respective windows of the two gaskets 14a and 14b were fitted into the cathode 4 and the anode 8, and the glass cloth 15 was sandwiched between the gaskets 14a and 14b.

Further, the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the gaskets 14a and 14b were hot-pressed at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so that pressure is applied to the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2. And the glass cloth 15 were integrated at the same time. Thereby, the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a and the membrane electrode assembly 2 were integrally formed.
Further, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a was formed at a predetermined location.
Thus, a membrane electrode assembly 17B with a glass fiber composite resin sheet was obtained.

Example 3
The membrane electrode assembly 17C with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 3 shown in FIG. 4 was configured as follows.
The size of the window of the glass cloth 15 of the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13 a is formed to a size corresponding to the cathode 4 and the anode 8. Further, the portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 extending outward from the outer periphery of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 is bent so as to overlap the glass cloth 15 on the anode 8 side.
Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment.

A method for producing the membrane electrode assembly 17C with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 3 will be described.
Membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1.
Next, a square window having a size corresponding to the outer shape of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 was formed in the center of the gaskets 14a and 14b.
A square window having a size corresponding to the outer shape of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 was formed in the center of the glass cloth 15.

  And it processed so that the cross section of the site | part extended outside rather than the outer periphery of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 might become the following. The tip of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 protruding from the outer periphery of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 was bent vertically toward the side end face of the anode 8, and the tip was bent vertically toward the anti-anode 8 side. At this time, in the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, the length of the portion substantially parallel to the side end surface of the anode 8 is substantially the same as the thickness of the glass cloth 15.

  Then, the window of the glass cloth 15 is fitted into the cathode 4 and the glass cloth 15 is pushed into contact with the bent portion on the tip side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. That is, the glass cloth 15 is arranged so as to extend outward from the outer periphery of the portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 sandwiched between the cathode 4 and the anode 8. Further, the respective windows of the two gaskets 14 a and 14 b were fitted into the cathode 4 and the anode 8.

Further, hot pressing was performed at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so as to apply pressure to the membrane electrode assembly 2, the gaskets 14 a and 14 b and the glass cloth 15 from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2, and the membrane electrode assembly 2 and gasket 14 a 14b and the glass cloth 15 were integrated at the same time. Thereby, the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a and the membrane electrode assembly 2 were integrally formed.
Further, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a was formed at a predetermined location.
The membrane electrode assembly 17C with a glass fiber composite resin sheet was obtained by the above.

Example 4
The membrane electrode assembly 17D with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 4 shown in FIG. 5 was configured as follows.
The outer shape of the window of the glass cloth 15 of the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a is formed in a square that is 8 mm longer on one side than the length of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.
Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment.

The manufacturing method of membrane electrode assembly 17D with a glass fiber composite resin sheet is demonstrated.
Membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1.
Next, a square window having a size corresponding to the outer shape of the cathode and the anode was formed in the center of the gaskets 14a and 14b.
Furthermore, a square window having a side length of 8 mm larger than the length of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 was formed in the center of the glass cloth 15.
Thereafter, in Example 2 above, the membrane electrode assembly with glass fiber composite resin sheet 17D was manufactured in the same manner as the manufacturing procedure of the membrane electrode assembly with glass fiber composite resin sheet 17B after the window was formed at the center of the glass cloth 15. Got.

Example 5 FIG.
The membrane electrode assembly 17E with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 5 shown in FIG. 6 was configured as follows.
As the gaskets 14a and 14c of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b, thermoplastic resin sheets having a thickness of 100 μm were used.
As the gaskets 14b and 14d of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b, thermoplastic resin sheets having a thickness of 190 μm were used.

The glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a is disposed on the cathode 4 side with the gasket 14b having a thickness of 100 μm facing the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13b is provided with the gasket 14c having a thickness of 190 μm on the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. Is disposed on the anode 8 side. Thus, the glass cloth 15 of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b is disposed asymmetrically with respect to the reference plane.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly 17E with a glass fiber composite resin sheet is demonstrated.
Membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1.
Next, a method for forming the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b will be described.
Gaskets 14a and 14c having a thickness of 100 μm and gaskets 14b and 14d having a thickness of 190 μm were prepared, and windows having sizes corresponding to the external shapes of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 were formed at the centers.
In addition, a square window having a side length 100 mm longer than the length of one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 was formed in the center of the glass cloth 15.

  Then, the glass cloth 15 was sandwiched between the two gaskets 14a and 14b and the gaskets 14c and 14d, and the whole was hot-pressed at 180 ° C. to produce glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b.

  Then, one glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a is fitted into the cathode so that the 190 μm-thick gasket side is disposed on the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 side, and the other glass fiber composite resin sheet is 100 μm-thick on the polymer side. The anode was fitted to the electrolyte membrane 3 side.

Further, the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheet were hot-pressed at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so that pressure is applied to the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheet from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2. 13a and 13b were integrated.
Furthermore, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b was formed at a predetermined location.
Thus, a membrane electrode assembly 17E with a glass fiber composite resin sheet was obtained.

Example 6
The membrane electrode assembly 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 6 shown in FIG. 7 was configured as follows.
As the gaskets 14a and 14d of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b, thermoplastic resin sheets having a thickness of 190 μm were used.
Further, a thermoplastic resin sheet having a thickness of 100 μm was used for the gaskets 14b and 14c of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b.
The glass fiber composite resin sheets 13 a and 13 b are arranged to face each other with the gaskets 14 b and 14 c having a thickness of 100 μm facing the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly 17F with a glass fiber composite resin sheet is demonstrated.
Membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1.
Next, a method for forming the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b will be described.
Gaskets 14b and 14c having a thickness of 100 μm and gaskets 14a and 14d having a thickness of 190 μm were prepared, and windows having sizes corresponding to the outer shapes of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 were formed at the centers.
In addition, a square window having a side length of 10 mm and a side length of 10 mm was formed in the center of the glass cloth 15.

Then, the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b were produced by sandwiching the glass cloth 15 with the two gaskets 14a and 14b and the gaskets 14c and 14d and hot-pressing the entire glass cloth 15 at 180 ° C.
The windows of the gaskets 14a, 14b and the gaskets 14c, 14d are fitted into the cathode 4 and the anode 8, respectively, so that the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a, 13b are disposed opposite to the 100 μm thick gasket side on the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 side. It was.

Further, hot pressing was performed at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so as to apply pressure to the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2, and the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber The composite resin sheet 13a was integrated.
Furthermore, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b was formed at a predetermined location.
The membrane electrode assembly 17F with a glass fiber composite resin sheet was obtained by the above.

Comparative example.
The membrane electrode assembly 2 in which the gaskets 14a and 14b shown in FIG. 8 were integrated was configured as follows.
Gaskets 14a and 14b having a thickness of 300 μm are arranged to face each other so that one surface of the gasket 14a and the other surface of the gasket 14b are in close contact with each other on the reference surface. Further, the arrangement of the glass cloth 15 was omitted.
Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment.
Next, a method for manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly 2 in which the gaskets 14a and 14b of the comparative example are integrated will be described.
The membrane electrode assembly 2 was configured in the same manner as in Example 1 above.

Two gaskets having a thickness of 300 μm were prepared, and a window having a size corresponding to the outer shape of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 was formed in the center of each.
The windows of the two gaskets 14a and 14b were aligned with the cathode 4 and the anode 8, and the gaskets 14a and 14b were fitted into the cathode 4 and the anode 8, respectively.
Furthermore, the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the gasket were integrated by hot pressing at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so that pressure was applied to the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the glass fiber composite resin sheet from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2. .
Furthermore, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the gaskets 14a and 14b was formed at a predetermined location.
Thus, the membrane electrode assembly 2 in which the gaskets 14a and 14b were integrated was obtained.

Membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets of Examples 1 to 6 above
The glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b (or 13a) seal the membrane electrode assembly 2 and suppress the leakage of gas to the outside of the membrane electrode assembly 2.

And the unit cell 1 is obtained by pinching the membrane electrode assembly 17A-17F with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of the said Example 1- Example 6 with the separator 12. FIG. At this time, the separator 12 is previously provided with a manifold hole penetrating the separator 12 at a position corresponding to the manifold hole 16 of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets.
The separator 12 does not need to be bonded to the membrane electrode assembly 2. For example, after a desired number of unit cells 1 are stacked, the separator 12 is formed into a shape in which pressure is applied from both sides in the stacking direction of the plurality of unit cells 1. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be obtained by storing it in a container (not shown).

  Next, evaluation of the membrane electrode assembly 2 in which the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets of Examples 1 to 6 and the gaskets 14a and 14b of the comparative examples are integrated will be described.

The amount of warpage of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets produced by the above method is defined as follows.
That is, the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets accompanied by warpage are arranged so as to protrude downward on a horizontally arranged flat plate. And in the state in which no force is applied to the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets, the flat plate contact surfaces of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets and the vertical direction are the most. The distance of the part of membrane electrode assembly 17A-17F with the glass fiber composite resin sheet which has produced the curvature is made into curvature amount. That is, usually, the contact points of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets with the flat plate and the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets having the longest horizontal distance from the corresponding contact locations. The distance in the vertical direction between one of the corners is the amount of warpage.

  Table 1 shows the results of measurement of the warpage amount after molding of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets of Examples 1 to 6 and the membrane electrode assembly 2 with gaskets 14a and 14b of Comparative Examples. Shown in

In Table 1, the warpage amounts of Examples 1 to 6 were 2.2 mm, 4.2 mm, 3.1 mm, 4.8 mm, 9.9 mm, and 3.9 mm, respectively. On the other hand, the warpage amount of the comparative example was 18 mm.
The warpage amounts of Examples 1 to 6 in which the glass fiber composite resin sheet 13a (or 13a, 13b) is arranged on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2 are such that only the gaskets 14a, 14b are on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2. It became smaller than the curvature amount of the arrange | positioned comparative example.

  Consider the above results. As described above, since the glass cloth 15 has high tensile strength, the glass cloth 15 suppresses deformation of the gaskets 14a to 14d against the stress that contracts the gaskets 14a to 14d generated by heat. On the other hand, in the comparative example, since the glass cloth 15 is not disposed, the stress that contracts the gaskets 14a to 14d generated by heat acts as a force for warping the gaskets 14a to 14d as it is. Therefore, it is determined that the warpage amount of each of Examples 1 to 6 is smaller than that of the comparative example.

  Further, the glass cloth 15 is disposed in the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a and 14b or symmetrically with respect to the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d. In Examples 1 to 4 and Example 6, the warp amount was significantly smaller than that in Example 5 in which the glass cloth 15 was arranged asymmetrically with respect to the center in the total thickness direction of the gaskets 14a to 14d.

Consider the above results.
In Example 1 to Example 4 and Example 6, the glass cloth 15 is arranged at the thickness center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d or the gaskets 14a and 14b, or symmetrically arranged with respect to the thickness center. Therefore, it is determined that the heat shrinkage stress generated at the portions of the gaskets 14a to 14d on both surfaces of the glass cloth 15 is uniform.

On the other hand, in Example 5, since the glass cloth 15 is asymmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the total thickness direction of the gaskets 14a to 14d, the glass cloth 15 is generated at the portions of the gaskets 14a to 14d on both surfaces of the glass cloth 15. It is determined that there is a portion where stress due to heat shrinkage is partially concentrated. Thereby, in Example 5, the curvature amount of the site | part of the glass cloth 15 which receives the big stress by the thermal contraction of gasket 14a-14d becomes large.
Therefore, it is determined that the warpage amounts of Examples 1 to 4 and Example 6 are smaller than those of Example 5.

  Further, when the glass cloth 15 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d, and the glass cloth 15 is arranged at the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a and 14b. Consider the case.

  In Example 1 and Example 6, the two glass cloths 15 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the thickness center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d. In this case, it is possible to integrate the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b with the membrane electrode assembly 2 in advance after the formation of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b. Since each glass cloth 15 of the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b is sandwiched between gaskets 14a and 14b and gaskets 14c and 14d having a predetermined thickness, the total thickness of the gaskets 14a and 14b and the gaskets 14c and 14d. It is always clamped at a predetermined part. Accordingly, the two glass cloths 15 can be automatically arranged symmetrically with respect to the thickness center of the total thickness by automatically fitting the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b into the cathode 4 and the anode 8.

  On the other hand, in Example 2-4, the glass cloth 15 of 1 layer is arrange | positioned in the thickness center of the total thickness of gasket 14a, 14b. In this case, when the glass cloth 15, the gaskets 14 a and 14 b and the membrane electrode assembly 2 are integrally formed, the center of the glass cloth 15 in the thickness direction is aligned with the reference plane, and the window center of the glass cloth 15 is aligned with the membrane electrode assembly 3. Although the centering process is required, the glass cloth 15 is very thin and difficult to handle, and the position adjustment may be difficult.

  Therefore, by arranging the one-layer glass cloth 15 at the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a and 14b, the two-layer glass cloth 15 is arranged with respect to the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d. It becomes easy to stack symmetrically.

  Further, in Examples 3 to 5 in which the glass cloth 15 is a single layer and the glass cloth 15 is arranged at the center in the total thickness direction of the gaskets 14a and 14b, the windows of the windows formed in the glass cloth 15 are used. The amount of warping in Example 3 with the smallest size was the smallest, and the amount of warping in Example 5 with the largest size of the window was larger than the others.

Consider the above results.
The area of the glass cloth 15 becomes smaller as the window becomes larger. It is determined that the smaller the area of the glass cloth 15 is, the less the force to resist the stress that contracts the gaskets 14a to 14d generated by heat is, and the smaller the effect of suppressing the deformation of the gaskets 14a to 14d is.

  However, in Example 3 in which the size of the window of the glass cloth 15 is smaller than the size of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, it is necessary to process the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 so as to eliminate the interference therebetween. In addition, at the overlapping portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 and the glass cloth 15, it may be necessary to take measures so that ionic impurities released from the glass cloth 15 do not conduct to the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. Therefore, it is preferable that the outer shape of the window of the glass cloth 15 is formed so as not to overlap the polymer electrolyte membrane 3.

  According to the first embodiment, the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b are formed by sandwiching the glass cloth 15 between the gaskets 14a and 14b or the gaskets 14c and 14d. Therefore, when the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b are arranged on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets are molded by hot pressing, the glass cloth 15 is a gasket. In order to suppress deformation of the gaskets 14a to 14d against the contraction force of 14a to 14d, the warpage amount after molding of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets can be reduced.

  Therefore, when the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets are sandwiched by separators in the subsequent steps, the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets are disposed at desired positions of the separator 12. It becomes easy.

  Further, since the amount of warping after molding of the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets is small, even when the membrane electrode assemblies 17A to 17F with glass fiber composite resin sheets are subjected to force and are re-deformed flatly. The stress due to the deformation is small, that is, the reliability of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell itself is not impaired.

  Further, the glass cloth 15 is arranged at the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a and 14b or symmetrically arranged with respect to the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d, so that the glass can be more effectively used. The curvature of membrane electrode assembly 17A-17F with a fiber composite resin sheet can be suppressed. Furthermore, by setting the number of laminated glass cloths 15 to 2, the glass cloth 15 can be made to have the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d only by fitting the glass fiber composite resin sheets 13a and 13b into the cathode 4 and the anode 8. It can be easily arranged symmetrically with respect to the thickness center.

  When the glass cloth 15 is disposed at the center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14 a to 14 d disposed on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 2, the size of the window of the glass cloth 15 is set to the polymer electrolyte membrane 3. The glass cloth 15 can be disposed without overlapping the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 by making it larger than the outer shape. Therefore, the labor of processing the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 in accordance with the shape of the glass cloth 15 can be saved. Further, since ionic impurities released from the glass cloth 15 do not contaminate the polymer electrolyte membrane 3, it is not necessary to take any measures against the contamination.

  In the first embodiment, the glass cloth 15 is described as being laminated in one or two layers, but the glass cloth 15 is not limited to being laminated in one or two layers. Three or more layers may be laminated. In this case, it is desirable to laminate the glass cloth 15 so as to be symmetric with respect to the thickness center of the total thickness of the gaskets 14a to 14d.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a top view of a membrane electrode assembly with a gasket of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 9, the membrane electrode assembly 19 with gasket has manifold holes 16 formed at predetermined intervals along two opposing sides of the gaskets 14a and 14b.
A slit-shaped notch 18 is formed in the gaskets 14 a and 14 b between the manifold holes 16. The portions of the gaskets 14 a and 14 b between the manifold holes 16 are separated by the notches 18.
At this time, the gaskets 14 a and 14 b are notched leaving the portions of the gaskets 14 a and 14 b in the range from the outer periphery of the anode 8 to the distance A and the range of the distance A from the outer periphery of the manifold hole 16.

The distance A determines the size of the gasket that can maintain the function of preventing hydrogen or oxygen gas leakage, which is the original purpose of mounting the gaskets 14a and 14b.
That is, the gaskets 14 a and 14 b formed with the notches 18 are at a distance A or more from the outer periphery of the cathode 4 and the anode 8 and from the outer periphery of the manifold hole 16 in order to suppress gas leakage from the membrane electrode assembly 2. What is necessary is just to be formed in the external shape which has the distance A or more.
Other configurations are the same as those in the comparative example.

Example 7
The gasketed membrane electrode assembly 19 of Example 7 was configured as follows.
The shape of the manifold hole 16 is a rectangle having a long side of 35.3 mm and a short side of 10 mm. Three manifold holes 16 are formed along two opposing sides of the gaskets 14a and 14b. At this time, the manifold hole 16 is formed so that its long side is parallel to two opposing sides of the gaskets 14a and 14b.

Further, a notch 18 having a width of 2 mm is formed in the middle direction of the adjacent manifold hole 16 in the thickness direction of the gaskets 14a and 14b. At this time, the distance A was 10 mm.
Further, the arrangement of the glass cloth 15 is omitted.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Subsequently, the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly 19 with a gasket of Example 7 is demonstrated.
First, a membrane electrode assembly 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 above.
Further, in the gaskets 14a and 14b, a notch 18 is formed in a slit shape at a portion of the gaskets 14a and 14b between the manifold holes 16 with respect to a position where the manifold hole 16 to be formed in a subsequent process is to be formed. . At this time, the notch 18 is formed leaving the portions of the gaskets 14 a and 14 b within the distance A from the outer periphery of the manifold hole 16.

  Further, the gaskets 14a and 14b were cut out so that the portions of the gaskets 14a and 14b within the distance A range remained from the windows of the gaskets 14a and 14b.

  Then, the cathode 4 and the anode 8 of the membrane electrode assembly 2 are fitted into the windows of the gaskets 14 a and 14 b, respectively, and the gaskets 14 a and 14 b are arranged to face each other on the outer peripheral portions of the cathode 4 and the anode 8. Further, the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the gaskets 14a and 14b are hot-pressed at 150 ° C. for 2 minutes so that pressure is applied to the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the gaskets 14a and 14b from both sides in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 2. Integrated.

Further, a manifold hole 16 penetrating the gaskets 14a and 14b was formed at a predetermined location.
Thus, a gasketed membrane electrode assembly 19 was obtained.

  As a comparative example, the same membrane electrode assembly 2 in which the gaskets 14a and 14b of Embodiment 1 were integrated was prepared.

Next, the warpage amount after the formation of the membrane electrode assembly 19 with gasket and the warpage amount of the membrane electrode assembly 2 with gaskets 14a and 14b of the comparative example are shown as the warpage of Examples 1 to 6 of the first embodiment. It measured by the measuring method similar to the measuring method of quantity.
As a result, the warpage amount of Example 7 was 8.2 mm, and the warpage amount was significantly reduced as compared with the warpage amount 18 mm of the comparative example.

Next, the evaluation result is examined.
In the seventh embodiment, slit-shaped cutouts 18 are formed at portions between the manifold holes 16 in the outer peripheral portions of the gaskets 14a and 14b that are separated from the cathode 4 and the anode 8 having a small expansion coefficient.

Warpage due to heat when the gaskets 14a and 14b and the membrane electrode assembly 2 are integrated is stress caused by contraction of the outer peripheral portions of the gaskets 14a and 14b which are separated from the cathode 4 and the anode 8 having a small expansion coefficient. Is estimated to have a large effect.
Since the portions between the manifold holes 16 on the outer peripheral portions of the gaskets 14a and 14b are separated by the notches 18, the stress due to the shrinkage of the gaskets 14a and 14b is absorbed by the notches 18 and the entire gaskets 14a and 14b shrink. Is determined to be suppressed.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, since the portion between the manifold holes 16 in the outer peripheral portions of the gaskets 14a and 14b is separated by the notch 18, the shrinkage of the entire gaskets 14a and 14b can be suppressed. . That is, the warp of the membrane-electrode assembly 19 with a gasket caused by heat at the time of molding the membrane-electrode assembly 19 with a gasket can be suppressed.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 1 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 2 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 3 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 4 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 5 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with a glass fiber composite resin sheet of Example 6 in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the membrane electrode assembly with which the gasket in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell as a comparative example was integrated. It is a top view of the membrane electrode assembly with a gasket of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  2 membrane electrode assembly, 3 polymer electrolyte membrane, 4 cathode, 8 anode, 14a to 14d gasket, 15 glass cloth (reinforced sheet), 16 manifold hole, 18 notch.

Claims (6)

A membrane electrode assembly having a cathode and an anode respectively bonded to both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the polymer electrolyte membrane excluding the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane;
A gasket formed in a frame shape surrounding the cathode and the anode bonded to both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and embedded in the membrane electrode assembly by embedding an outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane; ,
In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising
A solid polymer fuel cell, wherein a reinforcing sheet surrounds the membrane electrode assembly and is embedded in the gasket.   The reinforcing sheet is laminated in a plurality of layers in the thickness direction of the gasket, and the plurality of reinforcing sheets are arranged symmetrically with respect to the thickness center of the gasket. The solid polymer fuel cell as described.   3. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the number of laminated reinforcing sheets is two.   2. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein one layer of the reinforcing sheet is embedded in the thickness center of the gasket.   5. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing sheet is disposed at a predetermined interval from the outer periphery of the polymer electrolyte membrane. A membrane electrode assembly having a cathode and an anode respectively bonded to both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the polymer electrolyte membrane excluding the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane;
A gasket formed in a frame shape surrounding the cathode and the anode bonded to both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane, embedded in the outer peripheral edge of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and integrally formed with the membrane electrode assembly In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising:
A plurality of manifold holes for supplying gas to the cathode and anode are formed in the gasket,
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell, characterized in that a notch is formed in a slit shape at a portion of the gasket between the manifold holes.

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