JP2012209170A - Apparatus and method for manufacturing fuel cell electrode - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus and a fuel cell electrode manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing a fuel cell electrode having in-plane distribution.SOLUTION: The fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a first application chamber 20, a second application chamber 21 and an application table 36 including a suction part 37 formed in its inside and capable of moving relatively to the first application chamber 20 and the second application chamber 21. When the application table 36 is located under the first application chamber 20, application to a first application area 16a of a porous substrate 16 is performed, and when the application table 36 is located under the second application chamber 21, application to a second application area 16b of the porous substrate 16 is performed. Mixtures in which mixing ratios of an electrolyte and catalyst powder are respectively different are respectively applied by the first application chamber 20 and the second application chamber 21.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method.

  A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy of fuel gas into electrical energy by electrochemically reacting a fuel gas such as hydrogen and an oxidant gas such as air.

  A fuel cell body incorporated in a fuel cell using such non-polluting energy includes a unit cell composed of a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode arranged with an electrolyte layer having ionic conductivity, and a reactive gas ( A fuel gas supply groove for supplying a fuel gas, an oxidant gas), a conductive gas-impermeable fuel gas supply separator and an oxidant gas supply separator each provided with an oxidant gas supply groove, and a cooling water supply A plurality of basic components each including a cooling water supply separator provided with a groove are stacked to include a fuel cell stack.

  In the fuel cell main body having such a configuration, each reaction gas (fuel gas, oxidant gas) is provided in the fuel gas supply groove and the oxidant gas groove via a reaction gas supply manifold provided on the side surface of the fuel cell stack. Is supplied, an electrochemical reaction shown below proceeds at a pair of electrodes of the unit cell, and an electromotive force is generated between the electrodes.

Fuel electrode: 2H ₂ → 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ (1)
Oxidant electrode: O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)
In the above equation, the fuel electrode dissociates the supplied hydrogen into hydrogen ions and electrons as shown in equation (1). At that time, hydrogen ions pass through the electrolyte layer, and electrons move through the external circuit to the oxidant electrode.

  On the other hand, at the oxidant electrode, as shown in Formula (2), oxygen in the supplied oxidant gas reacts with the hydrogen ions and electrons to generate water. At this time, electrons that have passed through the external circuit become current and can be supplied with electric power.

  In addition, the water produced | generated by reaction of Formula (1), (2) goes through the reaction gas discharge manifold provided in the side surface of the said fuel cell laminated body with the reaction gas (already-reacted gas) which was not consumed with the fuel cell main body. To the outside of the fuel cell body.

  By the way, fuel cells are classified into alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells, depending on the electrolyte layer used. .

  Among these fuel cells, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a solid polymer membrane as an electrolyte layer can be operated at a relatively low temperature, has a short start-up time, and provides a large output density. It has attracted a great deal of attention as an in-vehicle power source and a portable power source.

  As the solid polymer electrolyte membrane used in the electrolyte layer of the solid polymer fuel cell which has been attracting attention in this way, a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membrane having a thickness of about 10 to 100 microns, such as Nafion, is used. (Trade name: manufactured by DuPont) and the like are used.

  This solid polymer electrolyte membrane is excellent in the reaction gas separation function for separating the fuel gas and the oxidant gas and the hydrogen ion conductivity for carrying the hydrogen ions generated in the fuel electrode to the oxidant electrode.

  However, although this solid polymer electrolyte membrane exhibits good hydrogen ion conductivity when it contains moisture, it has an attribute of significantly reducing hydrogen ion conductivity when dried. Further, it is known that the solid polymer electrolyte membrane deteriorates when the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is dried.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the solid polymer electrolyte membrane from being dried, it is necessary to give moisture to the fuel gas and the oxidant gas. In addition, since water is generated at the oxidant electrode in the reaction of the fuel cell, the diffusibility of the reaction gas is lowered and the characteristics are remarkably lowered unless this water is removed.

  A catalyst layer that does not lower the gas diffusibility with respect to the water generated at the oxidizer electrode is necessary to prevent the battery characteristics from being lowered.

  As a method for forming a catalyst layer having a distribution in the catalyst layer surface, there is a method in which inks having different weight ratios of the catalyst powder and the electrolyte are prepared, and the catalyst layer is patterned by ink-jet coating other than the flow path part and the flow path part.

JP 2003-173785 A

  While the above methods have excellent attributes, they still have some problems.

  When application is repeated with ink, a drying step is required. In addition, it is necessary to adjust the viscosity of the solution suitable for inkjet application.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus and a fuel cell electrode manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing a fuel cell electrode having an in-plane distribution.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment includes a porous substrate for forming an oxidant electrode catalyst layer at a position in contact with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane of a solid polymer membrane fuel cell. In a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus for dry-coating a mixture of an electrolyte and a catalyst powder thereon, a first mixture supply for supplying a first mixture in which the electrolyte and the catalyst powder are mixed at a first mixing ratio A first mixture receiving portion for receiving the first mixture supplied from the first mixture supply portion at an upper portion, and a first mixture outlet portion for discharging the first mixture downward A first application chamber provided; a second mixture supply unit configured to supply a second mixture in which the electrolyte and the catalyst powder are mixed at a second mixing ratio different from the first mixing ratio; Supplied from the second mixture supply section A second coating chamber having a second mixture receiving portion for receiving the second mixture at an upper portion thereof, a second mixture outlet portion for discharging the second mixture downward, and the porous substrate. An application table that is formed with a mountable suction portion and is movable relative to the first application chamber and the second application chamber, the application table being positioned below the first application chamber When the suction portion is disposed at a position opposite to the first mixture outlet portion below the first mixture outlet portion and the application table is at a lower position of the second application chamber. A coating table configured such that the suction part is disposed below the second mixture outlet part at a position facing the second mixture outlet part, and air sucked downward from the suction part is discharged. Having a blower that, the features a.

  Further, the fuel cell electrode manufacturing method of the embodiment includes an electrolyte and a catalyst on a porous substrate in order to form an oxidant electrode catalyst layer at a position in contact with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of the solid polymer membrane fuel cell. In a fuel cell electrode manufacturing method for dry-coating a mixture with a powder, a porous substrate is placed on a suction portion provided on a coating table, and placed in a first coating chamber at a position facing the porous substrate. A first coating chamber setting step for setting the first mixture outlet portion to be disposed; and a first mixture ratio for mixing the electrolyte and the catalyst powder at a first mixing ratio. A first mixing step, supplying the first mixture into the first coating chamber, and sucking air downward from the suction section through the porous substrate, thereby removing the first mixture from the porous substrate; First paint A first application step for applying to the region; and after the first application step, the application table on which the porous substrate is placed is moved relative to the first and second application chambers. A second coating chamber setting step for setting the second mixture outlet provided in the second coating chamber at a position facing the porous substrate, and the electrolyte and catalyst powder. A second mixing step of generating a second mixture by mixing at a second mixing ratio different from the first mixing ratio; and the second application of the second mixture after the second application chamber setting step. A second application step of applying the second mixture to the second application region of the porous substrate by supplying the inside of the chamber and sucking air downward from the suction part through the porous substrate. , Characterized by having a.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, a fuel cell electrode having an in-plane distribution can be easily manufactured.

It is a typical block diagram which shows the whole one Embodiment of a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the condition in the 1st application | coating process by a 1st application | coating chamber. It is a typical block diagram which shows the whole fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the condition in the 2nd application | coating process by a 2nd application | coating chamber. It is a typical block diagram which shows the condition of the crimping roller vicinity in the crimping process of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4A is a plan view of masking of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 4A is a plan view of first masking, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of second masking. It is a top view of the application table of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, Comprising: FIG. 5 (a) is a top view which shows the condition of the application table in a 1st application | coating process, FIG. It is a top view which shows the condition of the application | coating table in an application | coating process. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of a fuel cell electrode manufacturing method. It is a typical elevation sectional view showing one embodiment of a unit cell using an electrode manufactured by a fuel cell electrode manufacturing device. It is a table | surface which shows the specific structural example of the 1st and 2nd fuel cell manufactured by one Embodiment of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus. It is a table | surface which shows the example of the test result by the 1st and 2nd fuel cell shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of a unit cell using an electrode manufactured by a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus.

  The fuel cell is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells 10. Each unit battery 10 has a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 11. A fuel electrode catalyst layer 12 is in contact with one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 11, and an oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14 is in contact with the other surface. A fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 13 is disposed on the opposite side of the fuel electrode catalyst layer 12 to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 11, and an oxidant electrode gas diffusion is provided on the opposite side of the oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14 to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 11. Layer 15 is disposed. A separator (not shown) is disposed outside the fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 13 and the oxidant electrode gas diffusion layer 15, and the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are configured to flow through a groove formed in the separator.

  The oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14 is divided into two regions: an oxidant electrode gas supply downstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14a and an oxidant electrode gas supply upstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14b.

  The oxidant electrode gas diffusion layer 15 is made of a porous substrate, and the oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14 is formed by applying a mixture of an electrolyte and a catalyst powder to the surface of the porous substrate and pressing it. The weight ratio of the catalyst powder to the electrolyte in this mixture is, for example, 1: 0.4 in the oxidant electrode gas supply downstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14a, and the oxidant electrode gas supply upstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14b. Then, it is 1: 0.66. The oxidant electrode gas supply downstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14a has a lower electrolyte ratio than the oxidant electrode gas supply upstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14b.

  By adopting such a configuration, water generated at the oxidant electrode during operation of the fuel cell suppresses the phenomenon that the gas diffusibility decreases due to excessive increase in the oxidant electrode catalyst layer particularly on the downstream side of the oxidant electrode supply. be able to.

  Next, an embodiment of an apparatus and method for manufacturing an oxidant electrode of a fuel cell having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an entire embodiment of a fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus, and shows a situation in a first application process by a first application chamber. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing a situation in the second coating process by the second coating chamber. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a situation in the vicinity of the pressure roller in the pressure bonding step of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of masking of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view of the first masking, and FIG. 4 (b) is a plan view of the second masking. It is. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the coating table of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 (a) is a plan view showing the state of the coating table in the first coating step, and FIG. These are top views which show the condition of the application | coating table in a 2nd application | coating process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method for producing a fuel cell electrode.

  This fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus has a first application chamber 20 and a second application chamber 21 that are quadrangular pyramid or conical, and the first application chamber 20 and the second application chamber 21 have the same height. They are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

  A first mixture receiving unit 70 and a second mixture receiving unit 71 are formed on the tops of the first coating chamber 20 and the second coating chamber 21, respectively. One gas supply unit 22 and a second gas supply unit 23 are connected. The first gas supply unit 22 and the second gas supply unit 23 are supplied with a mixture to the first gas adjusting unit 24 and the second gas adjusting unit 25 for adjusting the respective gas flow rates, and the respective coating chambers. A first mixture supply unit 26 and a second mixture supply unit 27 are provided.

  A first mixture outlet portion 28 and a second mixture outlet portion 29 are formed at the lower portions of the first coating chamber 20 and the second coating chamber 21, respectively. The first mixture outlet portion 28 and the second mixture A first masking 30 and a second masking 31 are attached to the outlet portions 29, respectively. In the first masking 30 and the second masking 31, a first masking opening 32 and a second masking opening 33 are formed at different positions.

  The application table 36 is provided with a suction part 37 having a large number of through-holes 43 formed on the upper surface thereof, and the porous substrate 16 that forms the oxidant electrode gas diffusion layer 15 is placed on the suction part 37. It can be moved horizontally in the state. A suction chamber 38 is formed below the suction portion 37 of the application table 36, an exhaust pipe 39 is connected to the bottom of the suction chamber 38, an exhaust blower 40 is connected to the exhaust pipe 39, and the downstream side of the exhaust blower 40. Is provided with a pressure regulating valve 41. The suction unit 37 is provided with a suction unit adjustment plate 42 that can move in the horizontal direction relative to the suction unit 37. The suction part adjusting plate 42 is a flat plate that partially blocks the suction gas flow.

  The fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus further includes a pressure roller 50 for pressing the mixture applied in the first application chamber 20 and the second application chamber 21 to the porous substrate 16.

  Next, the procedure of the fuel cell electrode manufacturing method will be described.

  First, the porous substrate 16 is placed on the suction part 37 of the application table 36, the application table 36 is moved (step S1), and the application table 36 is placed in the first application chamber 20 as shown in FIG. Try to be down. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the first masking opening 32 of the first masking 30 is on the left side of the drawing, and the porous substrate 16 is below the first masking opening 32. The first application region 16a is located. At that time, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5A, the suction portion adjusting plate 42 is on the right side of the drawing and is at a position off the lower side of the first masking opening 32.

  Next, the 1st application by the 1st application chamber 20 is performed (Step S2). At this time, the gas is supplied from the first gas supply unit 22 and the first mixture is supplied from the first mixture supply unit 26. The first mixture flows together with the supplied gas from the first mixture receiving unit 70 into the first application chamber 20, passes through the first masking opening 32, and enters the first application region 16 a of the porous substrate 16. Delivered. The supplied gas passes through the first coating region 16a, is sucked into the suction chamber 38 from the suction portion 37 of the coating table 36, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust pipe 39 and the exhaust blower 40 and the pressure adjustment valve 41. The At this time, the first mixture 60 is applied to the first application region 16a.

  Next, while the porous substrate 16 is placed on the suction part 37 of the application table 36, the application table 36 is moved (step S3), and the application table 36 is subjected to the second application as shown in FIG. It should be below the chamber 21. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4B, the second masking opening 33 of the second masking 31 is on the right side of the drawing, and the porous substrate 16 is located below the second masking opening 33. The second application region 16b is located. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5B, the suction portion adjusting plate 42 is moved to the left of the drawing and located at a position outside the second masking opening 33.

  Next, the second application by the second application chamber 21 is performed (step S4). At this time, the gas is supplied from the second gas supply unit 23 and the second mixture is supplied from the second mixture supply unit 27. The second mixture flows into the second application chamber 21 from the second mixture receiving part 71 together with the supplied gas, passes through the second masking opening 33, and enters the second application region 16 b of the porous substrate 16. Delivered. The supplied gas passes through the second coating region 16b, is sucked into the suction chamber 38 from the suction portion 37 of the coating table 36, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust blower 40 and the pressure adjustment valve 41 through the exhaust pipe 39. The At this time, the second mixture 61 is applied to the second application region 16b.

  Next, the mixture applied to the porous substrate 16 in the first application step (S2) and the second application step (S4) is applied to the porous substrate 16 using a pressure roller 50 as shown in FIG. Crimping is performed (step S5). In this way, a different mixture can be applied to each region of the porous substrate 16.

  Hereinafter, specific examples in which the fuel cell electrode is actually manufactured using the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of the above embodiment will be described. For the fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 13 and the oxidant gas diffusion layer 15, carbon paper having a thickness of 180 μm (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) was used. An intermediate layer made of acetylene black (manufactured by DENKA Kogyo) and polytetrafluoroethylene (manufactured by DuPont) was provided above the fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 13 and the oxidant electrode gas diffusion layer 15. The weight ratio of the tetrafluoroethylene intermediate layer was 20%.

  Next, the fuel electrode catalyst layer 12 was formed on the intermediate layer of the fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 13 provided with the intermediate layer.

A Pt—Ru alloy catalyst (TEC61E54, manufactured by Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was used as the catalyst powder of the fuel electrode catalyst layer 12. First, 5 g of ion-exchanged water per 1 g of Pt—Ru alloy catalyst was added and stirred, then 2.5 g of Nafion solution (manufactured by DuPont) as a 20 wt% electrolyte solution was added, and ultrasonic dispersion was performed for 30 minutes. Thus, an ink for forming a fuel electrode catalyst layer was obtained. This ink was applied onto the intermediate layer of the fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 13 with a bar coater so that the amount of Pt-Ru was 0.5 mg / cm ² and dried at a temperature of 80 ° C. for 30 minutes to obtain a fuel electrode.

  A Pt catalyst (TEC10E50E, manufactured by Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was used as the catalyst powder of the oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14. First, 10 g of ion exchange water per 1 g of Pt catalyst was added and stirred, then 2 g of Nafion solution (made by DuPont), which is a 20 wt% electrolyte solution, was added, and ultrasonic dispersion was performed for 30 minutes, spreading on the bat. It dried under reduced pressure to room temperature. The dried ink was collected and pulverized to obtain a first mixture having a catalyst powder to electrolyte weight ratio of 1: 0.4. In the same process, a second mixture having a catalyst powder to electrolyte weight ratio of 1: 0.66 was obtained.

The detailed manufacturing method of an oxidizing agent electrode is shown below. The oxidant electrode gas diffusion layer 15 provided with the intermediate layer is placed on the coating table 36, the coating table 36 is moved below the first coating chamber 20, and the Pt amount is 0.5 mg Pt using the first mixture. The first coating region 16a was dry-coated so as to be / cm ² . At this time, the opening of the suction portion 37 of the application table 36 was adjusted together with the first masking opening 32 of the first application chamber 20. After the catalyst application in the first application chamber 20 is completed, the application table 36 is moved under the second application chamber 21 so that the Pt amount is 0.5 mg Pt / cm ² using the second mixture. The second coating region 16b of the catalyst layer was dry-coated to obtain a first oxidizer electrode. At this time, the opening of the suction part 37 of the application table 36 was adjusted in accordance with the second masking opening 33 of the second application chamber 21. In the first oxidant electrode prepared in this way, the boundary between the first application region 16a and the second application region 16b does not bleed from the masking mold, and there is no cross section of the application surface and no gap in thickness. did it.

  Further, as a comparative example, the second oxidant electrode having the first application region 16a and the second application region was similarly manufactured without adjusting the opening of the suction portion 37 of the application table 36. In the second oxidizer electrode, when the first application region 16a is applied, the catalyst layer oozes out to about 1 mm with respect to the masking, and the thickness of the catalyst layer at the interface between the first application region 16a and the second application region 16b. Became about 1.5 times thicker. If the opening of the suction part 37 is not adjusted only by masking, a thick place is generated in the catalyst layer, which may cause deformation of the electrolyte membrane.

  Further, as a comparative example, a third oxidizer electrode coated on the entire surface with only the second mixture was manufactured.

A solid polymer electrolyte membrane was sandwiched between the prepared fuel electrode and the first and third oxidant electrodes, and first and second fuel cells were obtained by thermocompression bonding. A Nafion membrane (NR111) having a thickness of 25 micrometers was used as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Thermocompression bonding was performed using a hot press at a temperature of 135 ° C., a pressure of 20 kgf / cm ² , and a time of 2 minutes. Using the manufactured first and second fuel cells, a power generation test was conducted by incorporating them into an oxidant gas supply separator and a fuel gas supply separator. In the first fuel cell, as shown in FIG. 7, the first coating region 16a where the weight ratio of the catalyst powder of the oxidant electrode to the electrolyte is 1: 0.4 is on the downstream side of the oxidant reaction gas supply. Combined with gas supply separator to be placed.

The power generation test cell temperature was 70 ° C., and humidification was performed continuously at a relative humidity of 100% for both the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode. FIG. 9 shows voltages at the start of operation and after 1000 hours at a current density of 0.4 A / cm ² . The second fuel cell coated on the entire surface with a catalyst-coated powder having a weight ratio of the oxidizer electrode catalyst powder to the electrolyte of 1: 0.66 has a high voltage at the start of operation, but has a large voltage drop during continuous operation. The voltage after 1000 hours was the lowest. The first fuel cell had a good voltage at the start of operation and a good voltage after 1000 hours. In the second fuel cell, the electrolyte ratio with respect to the catalyst powder is high, and good characteristics can be obtained at the start of operation. However, it is considered that gas diffusion failure occurred in the gas supply downstream portion in accordance with the continuous operation. The first fuel cell has an oxidant electrode catalyst layer having a high water retention capacity upstream, and has good characteristics at the start of operation, and gas supply downstream that causes gas diffusion failure even if continuous operation is performed. It is considered that a stable voltage was obtained without causing gas diffusion failure because the ratio of the electrolyte in the part was relatively low.

  As described above, by attracting only the plurality of coating chambers and the masking openings, it is possible to obtain a good catalyst layer having a gap between the catalyst layers having a plurality of regions. By using an oxidant electrode having a plurality of regions in the catalyst layer thus manufactured, gas diffusion failure downstream of the oxidant electrode can be suppressed, and stable characteristics can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, two coating chambers are used to separately apply to two coating regions. However, three or more coating chambers may be used to separately apply to three or more coating regions. .

  In the above embodiment, the first coating chamber 20 and the second coating chamber 21 do not move, and the coating table 36 moves between the first coating chamber 20 and the second coating chamber 21. . On the other hand, the application table 36 may not move, and the first application chamber 20 and the second application chamber 21 may move alternately above the application table 36.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

10 unit cell 11 solid polymer electrolyte membrane 12 fuel electrode catalyst layer 13 fuel electrode gas diffusion layer 14 oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14a oxidant electrode gas supply downstream oxidant electrode catalyst layer 14b oxidant electrode gas supply upstream oxidant electrode Catalyst layer 15 Oxidant electrode gas diffusion layer 16 Porous substrate 16a First coating region 16b Second coating region 20 First coating chamber 21 Second coating chamber 22 First gas supply unit 23 Second gas supply Unit 24 first gas adjustment unit 25 second gas adjustment unit 26 first mixture supply unit 27 second mixture supply unit 28 first mixture outlet unit 29 second mixture outlet unit 30 first masking 31 first 2 masking 32 first masking opening 33 second masking opening 36 coating table 37 suction part 38 suction chamber 39 exhaust pipe 40 exhaust blower 41 pressure regulating valve 42 suction part adjustment 43 through holes 50 press roller 70 first mixture receiving section 71 second mixture receiving portion

Claims (8)

Manufacturing a fuel cell electrode by dry-coating a mixture of electrolyte and catalyst powder on a porous substrate to form an oxidant electrode catalyst layer at a position in contact with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane of a solid polymer membrane fuel cell In the device
A first mixture supply unit for supplying a first mixture in which the electrolyte and the catalyst powder are mixed at a first mixing ratio;
A first mixture receiving portion for receiving the first mixture supplied from the first mixture supplying portion at an upper portion; and a first mixture outlet portion for discharging the first mixture downward. 1 coating chamber;
A second mixture supply unit for supplying a second mixture in which the electrolyte and the catalyst powder are mixed at a second mixing ratio different from the first mixing ratio;
A second mixture receiving portion for receiving the second mixture supplied from the second mixture supplying portion at an upper portion; and a second mixture outlet portion for discharging the second mixture downward. Two coating chambers;
A suction section on which the porous substrate can be placed is formed, and is a coating table movable relative to the first coating chamber and the second coating chamber, the coating table being the first coating chamber. The suction portion is disposed at a position opposite to the first mixture outlet portion below the first mixture outlet portion when the coating table is positioned below the coating chamber, and the coating table is located below the second coating chamber. An application table configured so that the suction part is arranged at a position facing the second mixture outlet part below the second mixture outlet part when in the position;
A blower for discharging air sucked downward from the suction part;
A fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus characterized by comprising:   A first application region of the porous substrate between the first mixture outlet and the suction part when the application table is below the first application chamber; 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a second coating region of the porous substrate located between the second mixture outlet and the suction unit is different when the second coating outlet is below the coating chamber. Electrode manufacturing equipment.   The first masking for adjusting the position of the first mixture outlet part and the second masking for adjusting the position of the second mixture outlet part are provided. Or the fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus of Claim 2.   The fuel cell electrode manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a suction adjustment plate for adjusting a position of the suction portion.   The first and second coatings are applied to the porous substrate in which the first and second mixtures are applied to the first and second coating regions of the porous substrate using the first and second coating chambers. The apparatus for producing a fuel cell electrode according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a pressure roller for pressing the mixture. Manufacturing a fuel cell electrode by dry-coating a mixture of electrolyte and catalyst powder on a porous substrate to form an oxidant electrode catalyst layer at a position in contact with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane of a solid polymer membrane fuel cell In the method
A porous substrate is placed on the suction portion provided on the application table, and the first mixture outlet provided in the first application chamber is disposed at a position facing the porous substrate. A first coating chamber setting step to be set;
A first mixing step of mixing the electrolyte and catalyst powder at a first mixing ratio to form a first mixture;
The first mixture is supplied into a first coating chamber, and air is sucked downward from the suction portion through the porous substrate, whereby the first mixture is removed from the first coating region of the porous substrate. A first application step of applying to
After the first coating step, the coating table on which the porous substrate is placed is moved relative to the first and second coating chambers so as to face the porous substrate. A second coating chamber setting step for setting so that the second mixture outlet provided in the second coating chamber is disposed in the second coating chamber;
A second mixing step of mixing the electrolyte and catalyst powder at a second mixing ratio different from the first mixing ratio to form a second mixture;
After the second coating chamber setting step, the second mixture is supplied into the second coating chamber, and the second mixture is sucked down from the suction part through the porous substrate. A second application step of applying to a second application region of the porous substrate;
A method for producing a fuel cell electrode, comprising:   The first application region corresponds to the oxidant electrode gas supply downstream side of the oxidant electrode catalyst layer, and the second application region corresponds to the oxidant electrode gas supply upstream side of the oxidant electrode catalyst layer. The fuel cell electrode manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein the first mixing ratio has a lower electrolyte ratio than the second mixing ratio.   After the second application step, a pressure bonding step of pressing the first mixture applied to the first application region and the second mixture applied to the second application region to the porous substrate. The method for producing a fuel cell electrode according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

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