JP2008153081A - Fuel cell and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell capable of suppressing increase in ionic conductivity between adjoined power generating cells in the fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode parts and bonded to an end plate with a gasket; and to provide the manufacturing method of the fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The membrane-electrode assembly having the plurality of electrode parts is bonded to end plates arranged on its both sides with the gasket, and an electrolyte membrane between the plurality of electrodes in the membrane-electrode assembly is bonded to the end plate with the gasket containing powdery substances. The electrolyte membrane between the electrodes of the membrane-electrode assembly has through parts formed by pushing the powdery substances in it. By forming the through parts in the electrolyte membrane positioned between the plurality of electrodes, ionic conductivity between the adjoined cells is reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell including a membrane / electrode assembly in which a polymer electrolyte membrane and an electrode are integrated, and more particularly to a fuel cell suitable for using a liquid such as methanol as a fuel.

  The fuel cell has advantages such as high energy efficiency because it directly extracts electric energy electrochemically from the fuel, and is easy to harmonize with the environment because the main substance of the discharge is water. For this reason, application to automobiles, distributed power supplies, information electronic devices and the like has been attempted.

  A fuel cell is composed of at least a solid or liquid electrolyte and an anode and a cathode, which are two electrodes for inducing a desired electrochemical reaction, and converts the chemical energy of the fuel directly into electrical energy with high efficiency. It is. As the fuel, hydrogen chemically converted from fossil fuel or water, methanol, alkali hydride or hydrazine, which is a liquid or solution in a normal environment, dimethyl ether, which is a pressurized liquefied gas, and the like are used. Oxygen gas is used.

  The fuel is electrochemically oxidized at the anode and oxygen is reduced at the cathode, resulting in a difference in electrical potential between the electrodes. At this time, if a load is applied between both electrodes as an external circuit, ion migration occurs in the electrolyte, and electric energy is extracted to the external load. Fuel cells are highly expected as large-scale power generation systems that replace thermal power equipment, compact distributed cogeneration systems, and electric vehicle power sources that replace engine generators.

  Among fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), metal hydride fuel cells, and hydrazine fuel cells that use liquid fuel are small, portable or portable because of their high volumetric energy density. It is effective as a power source. Above all, DMFC using methanol as fuel, which is easy to handle and is expected to be produced from biomass in the near future, is an ideal power system.

  In a fuel cell, the voltage generated in one power generation cell is usually as low as about 0.3 V near room temperature. For this reason, it is necessary to connect the power generation cells electrically in series for use at about 3 to 5 V required for personal digital assist (PDA) and information terminals and about 6 to 12 V required for notebook personal computers. There is.

  The method of connecting the power generation cells in series is roughly classified into a planar arrangement method in which the power generation cells are arranged in a plane and a lamination method in which the power generation cells are stacked. The planar arrangement method has an advantage that the power supply system can be made thin and light.

  Since DMFC is regarded as promising as a general-purpose or portable power source, downsizing is required. In the planar arrangement method, in order to reduce the size of the fuel cell, it is desirable to reduce the pitch between the power generation cells. Further, considering manufacturing and assembly such as handling, it is desirable that the number of parts is small. For this reason, it has been proposed to form a membrane / electrode assembly in which a plurality of electrode portions are formed on an electrolyte membrane (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The membrane / electrode assembly is sandwiched between end plates having a current collecting function. In order to reduce the contact resistance between the electrode of the membrane / electrode assembly and the current collector of the end plate, the two are often fastened with screws or the like and mechanically pressurized. As a method of fastening by a method other than a screw, there is a method of bonding an electrolyte membrane and an end plate using an adhesive containing resin beads (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-146092 A (summary) JP 2002-352845 A (summary)

  When a membrane / electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode portions is mounted on an end plate, fastening with screws requires a space for passing the screws between the power generation cells, and there is a limit to narrowing the inter-cell pitch. Also, if you make a hole to pass the screw between the power generation cells, liquid fuel may enter the clearance between the screw and the hole, which may lead to fuel leakage, and a seal to prevent this is required, etc. There is a problem that the structure becomes complicated. Further, since the screws are tightened between the plurality of electrodes and at both ends, there is a problem that the end plate is easily bent.

  In addition, if the pitch between the cells of the membrane / electrode assembly is reduced for miniaturization, ion conduction between adjacent cells tends to increase, leading to deterioration of battery performance due to lack of reactive hydrogen ions, local heat generation, or local drying. There is a fear. Even when the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate are bonded with a gasket, an adhesive is applied on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent cells. There is a problem that conduction increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell comprising a membrane / electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode portions and capable of suppressing an increase in ion conduction between adjacent power generation cells in a fuel cell bonded to an end plate by a gasket. It is in providing a battery and its manufacturing method.

  The present invention includes a membrane / electrode assembly having a plurality of anode electrodes that oxidize fuel on one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a plurality of cathode electrodes that are paired with the anode electrode on the other surface. In the fuel cell, end plates are provided on both sides of the membrane / electrode assembly, and the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate are adhered to each other by a gasket at an exposed portion of the electrolyte membrane in the membrane / electrode assembly. And the granular material is included in the gasket for bonding the electrolyte membrane between the plurality of electrodes and the end plate in at least the membrane / electrode assembly, and the granular material is pushed into the electrolyte membrane in that portion. The fuel cell has a formed through portion.

  The present invention includes a membrane / electrode assembly having a plurality of anode electrodes that oxidize fuel on one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a plurality of cathode electrodes that are paired with the anode electrode on the other surface. In the fuel cell, the membrane / electrode assembly has end plates on both sides, the electrolyte membrane between the plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly has intermittent cuts, and the membrane / electrode assembly has The membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate are bonded by a gasket at an exposed portion of the electrolyte membrane, and at least the electrolyte membrane and the end plate between a plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly are bonded. The fuel cell is characterized in that the gasket contains a particulate material, and the electrolyte membrane in that portion has a through-hole formed by pressing the particulate material.

  The present invention provides a membrane / electrode assembly in which a plurality of anode electrodes for oxidizing fuel are joined to one surface of an electrolyte membrane, and a plurality of cathode electrodes are joined to the other surface so as to form a pair with the anode electrode. A fuel cell manufacturing method in which at least one of the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate is bonded with a gasket at an exposed portion of the electrolyte membrane in the membrane / electrode assembly. A gasket material forming step of applying a gasket material to an adhesion portion between the end plate and the membrane / electrode assembly; and the electrolyte between the plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly in the gasket material forming step or a subsequent step. A step of mixing a granular substance into the gasket material at a portion to be bonded to the membrane, and pressing the granular substance into the electrolyte membrane by pressing the membrane / electrode assembly from both sides with the end plate A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising: a step of forming a penetration portion; and a step of curing the gasket material and bonding the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate with the gasket. .

  Since the fuel cell of the present invention has a penetrating portion in the electrolyte membrane between a plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly, it is possible to reduce ion conduction between adjacent cells.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side, and FIG. 2 is a plan perspective view showing the fuel cell of FIG.

  The membrane / electrode assembly 4 is formed by joining the cathode electrode 2 to one surface of the electrolyte membrane 1 and joining the anode electrode 3 to the other surface. FIG. 1 shows a membrane / electrode assembly in which two electrode parts, a first electrode part 9 and a second electrode part 10, are formed on an electrolyte membrane 1.

  The material of the electrolyte membrane 1 will be described. When a hydrogen ion conductive material is used for the electrolyte membrane, a stable fuel cell can be realized without being affected by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Examples of such a hydrogen ion conductive material include sulfonated fluorine-based polymers represented by polyperfluorostyrene sulfonic acid, perfluorocarbon-based sulfonic acid, and the like, polystyrene sulfonic acid, and sulfonated polyether sulfone. In addition, there are materials obtained by sulfonating hydrocarbon polymers such as sulfonated polyether ether ketones, and materials obtained by alkylating sulfones of hydrocarbon polymers. If these materials are used for the electrolyte membrane, the fuel cell can be operated at a temperature of 80 ° C. or lower.

  In addition to the above, the electrolyte membrane is a composite in which hydrogen ion conductive inorganic substances such as tungsten oxide hydrate, zirconium oxide hydrate, and tin oxide hydrate are micro-dispersed in heat-resistant resin or sulfonated resin. An electrolyte membrane can be used. In this case, the fuel cell can be operated to a higher temperature range. The sulfonated polyether sulphones, polyether ether sulphones or composite electrolytes using hydrogen ion conductive inorganics also have the effect that the methanol permeability of the fuel is lower than that of polyperfluorocarbon sulphonic acids. In any case, when an electrolyte membrane having high hydrogen ion conductivity and low methanol permeability is used, the power generation utilization rate of fuel is increased.

  The anode electrode 3 and the cathode electrode 2 will be described. Each of these electrodes consists of a catalyst layer and a diffusion layer. In many cases, the catalyst layer of the anode electrode of the DMFC uses platinum and ruthenium or platinum-ruthenium alloy fine particles supported on a carbon-based powder carrier. In many cases, the catalyst layer of the cathode electrode 2 is formed by supporting platinum fine particles on a carbon-based powder carrier.

  The diffusion layer of the cathode electrode 2 is usually composed of a water repellent layer and a porous carbon substrate, and is laminated so that the water repellent layer is in contact with the cathode catalyst layer. The water-repellent layer enhances water repellency, increases the water vapor pressure near the cathode, and prevents the generated water vapor from being diffused and exhausted. A conductive and porous material is used for the base material of the diffusion layer. In general, a woven or non-woven fabric of carbon fiber is used. The diffusion layer is configured by mixing carbon powder and water-repellent fine particles, water-repellent fibrils or water-repellent fibers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

  The diffusion layer of the anode electrode 3 is usually composed of a porous carbon substrate. In general, a woven or non-woven fabric of carbon fiber that satisfies the conditions of conductivity and porosity is used. The function of the diffusion layer of the anode electrode 3 is to promote the supply of aqueous fuel and the rapid dissipation of the generated carbon dioxide. For this reason, the surface of the porous carbon substrate is hydrophilized to suppress the bubble growth of the carbon dioxide gas generated by the anode electrode 3 in the diffusion layer. Hydrophilization methods include a method of hydrophilizing the surface of the porous carbon substrate by gradual oxidation or ultraviolet irradiation, a method of dispersing a hydrophilic resin on the porous carbon substrate, a strong hydrophilic property represented by titanium oxide and the like. For example, a method of dispersing and supporting a substance having selenium is known. The diffusion layer of the anode electrode 3 is not limited to the carbon substrate, and an electrochemically inert metal material such as a stainless steel fiber nonwoven fabric, porous titanium, porous tantalum or the like may be used. it can.

  The cathode electrode 2 is in contact with and electrically connected to the cathode end plate 5 having a current collecting function. The anode electrode 3 is in contact with and electrically connected to the anode end plate 6 having a current collecting function.

  FIG. 3 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the end plate used in this embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a plan view, and FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view along AA. The anode end plate 6 and the cathode end plate 5 have the same shape. Therefore, hereinafter, the anode end plate 6 and the cathode end plate 5 are collectively referred to as an end plate 20.

  The end plate 20 includes an insulating portion 12 and a plurality of current collecting portions, that is, a first current collecting portion 13 and a second current collecting portion 14. As materials for the first current collector 13 and the second current collector 14, it is preferable to use materials such as methanol-resistant titanium, nickel, and stainless steel, but the surface to be bonded to the electrode of the membrane / electrode assembly Since copper is often subjected to gold plating, copper having poor methanol resistance can be used. The first current collector 13 and the second current collector 14 are formed by insulating the end plate by a method such as insert molding with an insulating plastic material or by embedding a current collector in a recess formed in a plastic plate. 12 is formed integrally. The surface of the membrane / electrode assembly in contact with the electrode is subjected to gold plating.

  The end plate 20 has a first terminal portion 15 for electrically connecting adjacent electrodes and a second terminal portion 16 for energizing the fuel cell to the outside. In this example, a membrane / electrode assembly having two electrode parts of the same polarity was used. However, the number of electrode parts was determined according to a desired voltage, A terminal portion is formed.

  A through hole 17 is formed in the current collectors of the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6, that is, the first current collector 13 and the second current collector 14. In the cathode end plate, the through-hole 17 serves as a passage for supplying air or the like to the membrane / electrode assembly and volatilizing generated moisture or the like. Further, the anode end plate 6 serves as a passage for supplying methanol fuel and discharging generated carbon dioxide.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell provided with a fuel tank. A fuel tank 18 is installed on the anode end plate 6 side via a joint 19. The fuel tank 18 contains liquid fuel such as methanol. The fuel is injected into the fuel tank via a cartridge or the like.

  A gap between adjacent anode electrodes or cathode electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly is sealed with a gasket. Gaskets are mainly classified into solid gaskets and liquid gaskets. In the solid gasket, a gasket material that has been hardened in advance and placed in a solid state is disposed on a sealing surface, and a seal is secured by tightening or the like. On the other hand, a liquid gasket is a gasket that is applied to one or both sides of a surface to be sealed with an uncured gasket material and is heat-cured.

  As the gasket material, methanol-resistant epoxy adhesive, epoxy-modified silicone adhesive, silicone adhesive, fluorine adhesive, butyl rubber, urethane RTV rubber, silicone RTV rubber, and other elastic adhesives are preferable. An adhesive containing a thermosetting resin that exists in a liquid state and cures when heated is easy to handle and is extremely suitable as a liquid gasket material. In this embodiment, an example in which the liquid gasket 7 is used has been shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid gasket 7 is formed between the electrodes of the first electrode portion 9 and the second electrode portion 10 and on the outer periphery of those electrode portions. A granular material 8 is mixed in the liquid gasket 7. The liquid gasket 7 not only bonds the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate, but also maintains a state in which a predetermined pressure is applied to the membrane / electrode assembly 4 sandwiched between the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6. Also bears. The displacement generated in the membrane / electrode assembly 4 by applying a predetermined pressure is controlled by the particulate material 8.

  The material of the particulate material 8 is preferably one having methanol resistance, and one having mechanical strength capable of withstanding the pressure applied in the step of sandwiching the membrane / electrode assembly 4 from both sides with end plates. Such materials include non-metallic materials such as ceramics, glass, plastics, and titanium. The shape of the granular material 8 is most preferably spherical, but may be a polygonal solid shape such as a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, or a triangular pyramid, a columnar shape, or a ring shape.

  By selecting the size of the particulate material, the displacement generated in the membrane / electrode assembly 4 can be controlled. In this embodiment, the particulate material 8 is disposed between the electrolyte membrane 1 and the cathode end plate 5, but may be disposed between the electrolyte membrane and the anode end plate.

  The electrolyte membrane 1 of the membrane / electrode assembly has a penetrating portion formed by pressing the particulate material 8. In FIG. 1, there is a penetrating portion in the portion of the electrolyte membrane 1 that is pressed by the particulate material 8. The presence of the penetrating portion in the electrolyte membrane between the electrodes of the first electrode portion 9 and the second electrode portion 10 can reduce ion conduction between the electrodes. As shown in FIG. 1, when the particulate material is present between the electrolyte membrane and one end plate, it is desirable that the diameter of the particulate material does not exceed the width of the membrane / electrode assembly.

  FIG. 5 shows a manufacturing process diagram of the fuel cell according to this embodiment. A gasket material is applied to the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6. For example, an epoxy material is applied by a dispenser, and is temporarily cured by heating at 80 ° C. for 30 minutes in the atmosphere.

  Thereafter, a granular material 8 such as resin beads is sprayed on the cathode end plate 5. In FIG. 5, the granular material 8 is mixed after the gasket material is applied. However, a granular material such as resin beads may be mixed in the gasket material in advance and applied to the cathode end plate 5. The method of applying the gasket material may be a printing method other than the dispenser.

  Thereafter, the membrane / electrode assembly 4 having a plurality of electrodes is disposed on the anode end plate 6, and the cathode end plate 5 is disposed in an overlapping manner. At this time, it is preferable to provide a guide, a positioning hole or the like in the anode end plate 6 or the cathode end plate 5 so that the membrane / electrode assembly 4 is disposed at a predetermined position.

  The membrane / electrode assembly 4 sandwiched between the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6 is placed on a press device, and a predetermined temperature and load are applied as bonding conditions. For example, when an epoxy-based adhesive is used as the gasket material, it is held at a temperature of 100 ° C. in the atmosphere for about 30 minutes, and a press load is applied during that time. The pressing load is determined in consideration of the displacement during pressing so that the thickness of the cathode end plate 5, the anode end plate 6 and the diameter of the granular material becomes a total thickness. When joining, it is better to suppress misalignment etc. using a jig if necessary, and the jig should be provided with grooves and holes for releasing gas such as gas generated when the gasket material is cured. good.

  In order to make the bonding between the membrane / electrode assembly 4 and the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6 more reliable, holes are formed in the outer peripheral portions of the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6 and fastened with screws or bolts. May be.

  It was confirmed that a fuel tank 18 was installed on the anode side of the fuel cell according to this example, and an aqueous methanol solution was supplied as fuel to generate electricity. Further, a fuel cell using a membrane / electrode assembly 4 having two electrodes of a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion, and a single cell fuel cell in which this membrane / electrode assembly is cut into two for each electrode The power generation performance was compared, but there was no significant difference in the power generation performance at each electrode.

  In order to more reliably reduce ion conduction between adjacent electrodes, it is very preferable to provide intermittent cuts in the electrolyte membrane 1 located between the electrodes of the membrane / electrode assembly.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an adhesive in which an electrolyte membrane and a separator are bonded with an adhesive containing resin beads, but is intended for a stacked fuel cell in which power generation cells are stacked, and a planar array fuel cell. Absent. Further, there is no description of bonding an electrolyte membrane between a plurality of electrodes and an end plate in a membrane / electrode assembly with an adhesive containing resin beads.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the particulate material 8 was disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane. This fuel cell can be manufactured by mixing the granular material 8 in the gasket material in advance and applying it to both the cathode end plate 5 and the anode end plate 6.

  In the case of the present embodiment, it is desirable that the diameter of the granular material does not exceed a half of the width of the membrane / electrode assembly at the maximum. As a result, the electrolyte membrane in the membrane / electrode assembly can be positioned at the center between the end plates on both sides.

  In this embodiment, since a granular material having a smaller size than that used in Embodiment 1 is used, there is an effect that the needle of the dispenser is not easily clogged when applied by a dispenser or the like. In addition, since the electrolyte membrane 1 comes to substantially the center of the membrane / electrode assembly 4, there is an effect that stress concentration in the vicinity of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode due to the deflection of the membrane is alleviated.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a solid gasket 11 made of a fluorine-based material is disposed together with a liquid gasket 7 made of a thermosetting epoxy gasket on the outer periphery of the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. did. The liquid gasket 7 containing the particulate material 8 is provided on the outer periphery of the solid gasket 11. The material of the solid gasket 11 may be a silicone type or an elastic rubber type such as EPDM.

  In Example 1 and Example 2, the liquid gasket 7 had a fixing function for reducing the contact resistance between the membrane / electrode assembly 4 and the end plate and a leak preventing function for preventing leakage of methanol fuel or the like. . On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the fixing function for reducing the contact resistance between the membrane / electrode assembly 4 and the end plate is the liquid gasket 7, and the leakage preventing function for preventing leakage of methanol fuel or the like is the solid gasket 11. Is mainly responsible for. As a result, it is possible to prevent leakage from gas traces generated when the liquid gasket is cured, and leakage defects can be reduced.

Sectional drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the Example of this invention. The top view of the fuel cell which concerns on the Example of this invention. The top view and sectional drawing of an end plate. Sectional drawing of the fuel cell provided with the fuel tank. The manufacturing process figure of the fuel cell which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which showed another Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrolyte membrane, 2 ... Cathode electrode, 3 ... Anode electrode, 4 ... Membrane / electrode assembly, 5 ... Cathode end plate, 6 ... Anode end plate, 7 ... Liquid gasket, 8 ... Granular substance, 9 ... First electrode , 10 ... second electrode part, 11 ... solid gasket, 12 ... insulating part, 13 ... first current collecting part, 14 ... second current collecting part, 15 ... first terminal part, 16 ... second terminal part, 17 ... through hole, 18 ... fuel tank, 19 ... joint, 20 ... end plate.

Claims (18)

  A fuel cell comprising a membrane / electrode assembly having a plurality of anode electrodes for oxidizing fuel on one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a plurality of cathode electrodes so as to form a pair with the anode electrode on the other surface. The membrane / electrode assembly has end plates on both sides, and the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate are bonded by a gasket at an exposed portion of the electrolyte membrane in the membrane / electrode assembly, A granular material is contained in the gasket for bonding the electrolyte membrane and the end plate between a plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly, and the penetration formed by pressing the granular material into the electrolyte membrane in that portion A fuel cell comprising a portion.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material is made of at least one selected from ceramics, glass, and plastics.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel is methanol.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the gasket is made of a resin adhesive that exists in a liquid or solution state and is cured when heat is applied.   2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises at least one selected from an epoxy adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a fluorine adhesive, a butyl rubber adhesive, a urethane rubber adhesive, and a silicone rubber adhesive. A fuel cell.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material is present between one end plate and the electrolyte membrane.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material is present on both sides of the electrolyte membrane.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte membrane and the end plate at an end portion of the membrane / electrode assembly are bonded to each other by a gasket containing a particulate material.   The liquid gasket according to claim 1, wherein the gasket that bonds the electrolyte membrane and the end plate at the end of the membrane / electrode assembly exists in a liquid or solution state and cures when heated. A fuel cell comprising a solid gasket existing in a solid state from the present place.   A fuel cell comprising a membrane / electrode assembly having a plurality of anode electrodes for oxidizing fuel on one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a plurality of cathode electrodes so as to form a pair with the anode electrode on the other surface. End plates on both sides of the membrane / electrode assembly, intermittent cuts in the electrolyte membrane between a plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly, and the electrolyte membrane in the membrane / electrode assembly The membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate are bonded by a gasket in an exposed portion, and at least the gasket that bonds the electrolyte membrane and the end plate between a plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly is granular. A fuel cell comprising a substance and having a penetration part formed by pressing the particulate substance in the electrolyte membrane in that part.   11. The fuel cell according to claim 10, wherein the fuel is methanol.   12. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the particulate material is made of a material having methanol resistance.   12. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the particulate material is made of at least one selected from ceramics, glass, and plastics.   12. The fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the gasket is made of a thermosetting resin that exists in a liquid or solution state and is cured when heat is applied.   12. The gasket according to claim 11, wherein the gasket comprises at least one selected from an epoxy adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a fluorine adhesive, a butyl rubber adhesive, a urethane rubber adhesive, and a silicone rubber adhesive. A fuel cell.   A membrane / electrode assembly in which a plurality of anode electrodes for oxidizing fuel is bonded to one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a plurality of cathode electrodes are bonded to the other surface so as to form a pair with the anode electrode is formed from both sides with end plates. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, wherein the membrane / electrode assembly and the end plate are bonded to each other by a gasket at an exposed portion of the electrolyte membrane in the membrane / electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the end plates A gasket material forming step of applying a gasket material to an adhesive portion with the membrane / electrode assembly, and the electrolyte membrane between the plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly is bonded in the gasket material forming step or a subsequent step. A step of mixing particulate matter into the gasket material of the portion to be sealed, and sandwiching the membrane / electrode assembly from both sides with the end plate to press the particulate matter into the electrolyte membrane to penetrate Forming a, then, the production method of a fuel cell, characterized in that said gasket material is cured comprising the step of bonding by the end plate the gasket and the membrane / electrode assembly.   In Claim 16, before the membrane / electrode assembly is sandwiched between the end plates from both sides, intermittent cuts are made in the electrolyte membrane between a plurality of electrodes in the membrane / electrode assembly. A method for manufacturing a fuel cell.   17. The gasket material forming step according to claim 16, wherein at least one selected from an epoxy adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a fluorine adhesive, a butyl rubber adhesive, a urethane rubber adhesive, and a silicone rubber adhesive is used. A method for producing a fuel cell, comprising applying

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