JP5529067B2 - Membrane electrode assembly manufacturing method and membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a membrane electrode assembly and a membrane electrode assembly production apparatus.

  As a conventional method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly, for example, a method described in Patent Document 1 is known. The manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly described in Patent Document 1 includes a step of swelling the electrolyte membrane with a swelling liquid, a step of fastening the outer peripheral portion of the swollen electrolyte membrane with a rectangular annular workpiece, and a state of being fastened to the workpiece A step of applying the catalyst ink to the electrolyte membrane, and a step of drying the electrolyte membrane in a state where the electrolyte membrane is fastened to the workpiece.

JP 2006-310237 A

  In the method for producing a membrane / electrode assembly described in Patent Document 1, as described above, the catalyst ink is applied uniformly in a state where the swollen electrolyte membrane is fastened to the work, thereby uniformly applying the catalyst ink. Yes. Further, in this method, the electrolyte membrane is dried while being fastened to the workpiece, thereby preventing the electrolyte membrane from shrinking and generating wrinkles during the drying.

  However, when the electrolyte membrane is fastened to the workpiece, the electrolyte membrane is prevented from contracting when the electrolyte membrane is dried, so that tension is generated in the electrolyte membrane. For example, when an electrolyte membrane having a high expansion coefficient is used, the tension increases. As a result, in the above-described method, the electrolyte membrane may be damaged when the electrolyte membrane is dried.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly and a membrane electrode manufacturing apparatus that can uniformly apply catalyst ink to an electrolyte membrane and prevent damage to the electrolyte membrane. The task is to do.

  In order to solve the above problems, a method for producing a membrane / electrode assembly according to the present invention is a method for producing a membrane / electrode assembly used in a fuel cell, wherein a first step of swelling an electrolyte membrane with a swelling liquid, After the first step, the second step of removing the swelling liquid from the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, the third step of applying tension to the electrolyte membrane after the second step, and the tension of the electrolyte membrane after the third step Is provided with a fourth step of applying a catalyst ink to the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and a fifth step of releasing the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane after the fourth step. And

  In this method of manufacturing a membrane / electrode assembly, the catalyst ink is applied after the electrolyte membrane is swollen. For this reason, it is prevented that the electrolyte membrane is swollen and bent by the solvent contained in the catalyst ink. In this method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly, the catalyst ink is applied to the electrolyte membrane in a state where tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane. For this reason, the catalyst ink can be applied to the electrolyte membrane with a uniform thickness. Further, in this method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly, after applying the catalyst ink to the electrolyte membrane, the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane is released. For this reason, when the electrolyte membrane is dried in a subsequent process, the shrinkage of the electrolyte membrane is not hindered, so that damage to the electrolyte membrane can be prevented.

  In the method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly of the present invention, after the fifth step, the gas diffusion layer is laminated on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane via the catalyst ink, and then the sixth step and the electrolyte after the sixth step. It is preferable to further include a seventh step of drying the film. According to this method, as described above, the electrolyte membrane can be dried while preventing damage to the electrolyte membrane.

  In the method for producing a membrane / electrode assembly of the present invention, in the sixth step, a microporous layer is disposed between the gas diffusion layer and the catalyst ink, and the solvent contained in the catalyst ink is used as the microporous layer and the gas. It is preferable to form the catalyst layer from the catalyst ink by absorbing it in the diffusion layer. According to this method, at the time of absorption of the solvent contained in the catalyst ink, the adhesion between the catalyst layer and the microporous layer is enhanced, and the adhesion between the electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer can be enhanced.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly of this invention is further equipped with the 8th process of crimping | bonding an electrolyte membrane, a catalyst layer, a microporous layer, and a gas diffusion layer mutually after a 7th process. According to this method, a high-quality membrane electrode assembly can be manufactured by pressure-bonding an electrolyte membrane in which damage is prevented or a catalyst layer having a uniform thickness.

  Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly of the present invention, in the seventh step, it is preferable to dry the electrolyte membrane while applying a force to the gas diffusion layer so that the gas diffusion layer and the electrolyte membrane are brought into close contact with each other. According to this method, generation of wrinkles in the electrolyte membrane can be suppressed, and adhesion between the electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer can be ensured.

  In order to solve the above problems, a membrane / electrode assembly production apparatus of the present invention is a membrane / electrode assembly production device for producing a membrane / electrode assembly used in a fuel cell, wherein the electrolyte membrane is made of a swelling liquid. The swelling portion to be swollen, the swelling liquid removing portion for removing the swelling liquid on the surface and the back surface of the swollen electrolyte membrane, and the electrolyte membrane from which the swelling liquid has been removed from the front surface and the back surface were applied with tension and applied to the electrolyte membrane. A tension application opening portion that releases tension, a catalyst ink application portion that applies catalyst ink to the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane between the time the tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane and the time when the tension is released; A laminated portion for laminating a gas diffusion layer on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane that has been coated and released in tension via a catalyst ink; and a drying portion for drying the electrolyte membrane on which the gas diffusion layer is laminated. about And features.

  In this membrane / electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, the catalyst ink is applied after the electrolyte membrane is swollen. For this reason, it is prevented that the electrolyte membrane is swollen and bent by the solvent contained in the catalyst ink. Moreover, in this membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, the catalyst ink is applied to the electrolyte membrane in a state where tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane. For this reason, the catalyst ink can be uniformly applied to the electrolyte membrane. Furthermore, in this membrane / electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, drying is performed after releasing the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane. For this reason, since the shrinkage | contraction of an electrolyte membrane is not inhibited in the case of the drying, it becomes possible to prevent damage to an electrolyte membrane.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing method of a membrane electrode assembly which can apply | coat a catalyst ink uniformly to an electrolyte membrane, and can prevent damage to an electrolyte membrane, and a membrane electrode manufacturing apparatus can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the membrane electrode manufacturing apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a catalyst ink application part shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. A membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly used in a fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures a membrane electrode assembly including the electrolyte membrane 10 while transporting the electrolyte membrane 10 along a predetermined transport path. As the electrolyte membrane 10, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be used.

  The membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a swelling liquid tank (swelling part) 2, a catalyst ink application part (swelling liquid removing part, tension applying release part, catalyst ink application part) 3, and a gas diffusion layer lamination part (lamination part) 4. And a drying chamber (drying section) 5. The swelling liquid tank 2, the catalyst ink application unit 3, the gas diffusion layer stacking unit 4, and the drying chamber 5 are arranged in order along the transport path of the electrolyte membrane 10. Accordingly, the electrolyte membrane 10 flows in the order of the swelling liquid tank 2, the catalyst ink application part 3, the gas diffusion layer lamination part 4, and the drying chamber 5.

  The swelling liquid tank 2 swells the electrolyte membrane 10 with the swelling liquid L. More specifically, the swelling liquid tank 2 stores the swelling liquid L, and the electrolyte film 10 is swollen by immersing the electrolyte film 10 in the swelling liquid L. As the swelling liquid L, for example, a solvent used for catalyst ink, water, a mixture thereof, or the like can be used.

  The catalyst ink application unit 3 applies the catalyst ink to both the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 10. Details of the catalyst ink application unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the catalyst ink application unit 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the catalyst ink application unit 3 includes a die head 31.

  The die head 31 discharges the catalyst ink B1 toward the front surface 10a of the electrolyte membrane 10, and discharges the catalyst ink B2 toward the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10. Therefore, in a state where the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are being discharged from the die head 31, the catalyst is passed over the surface 10a and the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10 by passing the electrolyte membrane 10 through the die head 31 at a predetermined speed. The ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 can be applied with a predetermined thickness. The catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 can be different from each other. The catalyst ink B1 can be, for example, an ink containing an anode catalyst. The catalyst ink B2 can be, for example, an ink containing a cathode catalyst.

  Here, in the electrolyte membrane 10, application regions R1 to which the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are applied and non-application regions R2 to which they are not applied are alternately set along the transport direction. The die head 31 applies the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 only to the application region R1 by adjusting the time for discharging the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2.

  The die head 31 is provided with a web portion 32 for removing the swelling liquid L from the front surface 10 a and the back surface 10 b of the electrolyte membrane 10. The web portion 32 is a pair of protrusions that are disposed in contact with the front surface 10 a and the back surface 10 b of the electrolyte membrane 10 in front of the ink discharge port 31 a of the die head 31 and extend in the width direction of the electrolyte membrane 10. For this reason, when the electrolyte membrane 10 passes through the web portion 32, the excessive swelling liquid L attached to the front surface 10a and the back surface 10b is removed before the application of the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2.

  The die head 31 is provided with a tension adjusting unit 33 between the ink discharge port 31 a and the webbed unit 32. The tension adjusting unit 33 is a pair of bar-shaped protrusions that are disposed so as to contact the front surface 10 a and the back surface 10 b of the electrolyte membrane 10 and extend in the width direction of the electrolyte membrane 10. The ink discharge port 31a, the webbed part 32, and the tension adjusting part 33 are arranged close to each other. The tension adjusting unit 33 is preferably made of a material that causes appropriate friction with the electrolyte membrane 10. Examples of such materials include nitrile rubber and fluororubber.

  The catalyst ink application unit 3 includes a pair of roller belts 34 a and 34 b that rotate in the conveyance direction of the electrolyte membrane 10. The roller belt 34 a is disposed on the surface 10 a side of the electrolyte membrane 10. The roller belt 34 b is disposed on the back surface 10 b side of the electrolyte membrane 10. The roller belt 34a is provided with a plurality (here, two) of tension adjusting portions 35a, and the roller belt 34b is provided with a plurality (here, two) of tension adjusting portions 35b. The tension adjusting unit 35 a and the tension adjusting unit 35 b are bar-shaped protrusions extending in the width direction of the electrolyte membrane 10. Similarly to the tension adjusting unit 33, the tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b are preferably made of a material that causes appropriate friction with the electrolyte membrane 10.

  The tension adjusting unit 35a moves with the rotation of the roller belt 34a (in the direction of the arrow in the drawing) in a state where the tension adjusting unit 35a is in contact with the surface 10a of the electrolyte membrane 10. The tension adjusting unit 35b moves with the rotation of the roller belt 34b (in the direction of the arrow in the drawing) in a state where the tension adjusting unit 35b is in contact with the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10. The tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b are disposed so as to face each other when in contact with the electrolyte membrane 10. Therefore, the electrolyte membrane 10 is conveyed while being gripped by the tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b. The tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b grip the electrolyte membrane 10 in the unapplied region R2.

  As described above, the electrolyte membrane 10 is transported while being held by the tension adjusting unit 35 a and the tension adjusting unit 35 b and in contact with the tension adjusting unit 33. For this reason, tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane 10 along the transport direction of the electrolyte membrane 10 between the tension adjusting portion 33 and the tension adjusting portions 35a and 35b. At this time, the contact position between the electrolyte membrane 10 and the tension adjusting unit 33 becomes the starting point of tension, and the contact position between the electrolyte membrane 10 and the tension adjusting units 35a and 35b becomes the end point of tension. As an example of how to apply tension to the electrolyte membrane 10, it is possible to control the rotation of the roller belt 34 a and the roller belt 34 b so that an appropriate tensile load is applied to the electrolyte membrane 10.

  Each of the tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b in contact with the electrolyte membrane 10 moves to the respective ends of the roller belt 34a and the roller belt 34b, and then rotates along with the rotation of the roller belt 34a and the roller belt 34b. And move away from the electrolyte membrane 10 (see FIG. 2C). Thereby, the contact between the tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b and the electrolyte membrane 10 is released, and the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane 10 is released. At this time, another tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b move in a direction approaching the electrolyte membrane 10 as the roller belt 34a and the roller belt 34b rotate, and grip the electrolyte membrane 10 in the uncoated region R2. For this reason, tension is newly applied to another part of the electrolyte membrane 10. The die head 31 applies the catalyst inks B1 and B2 to the electrolyte membrane 10 in a state where tension is applied. In other words, the die head 31 applies the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 to the electrolyte membrane 10 after the tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane 31 until the tension is released.

  With reference to FIG. 1, description of each part of the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 is continued. As described above, the gas diffusion layer stacking portion 4 is formed on the surface 10a and the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10 where the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are applied and the tension is released, respectively, on the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2. The gas diffusion layer 11 is laminated through each of them. The gas diffusion layer 11 is cut in advance to a length substantially the same as the length of the application region R1 of the electrolyte membrane 10. The gas diffusion layer 11 is laminated on the application region R1 of the electrolyte membrane 10. A microporous layer (not shown) is formed on the surface of the gas diffusion layer 11 on the electrolyte membrane 10 side. In other words, the microporous layer is disposed between the catalyst ink B1 and the gas diffusion layer 11, and between the catalyst ink B2 and the gas diffusion layer 11, respectively.

  In the gas diffusion layer stacking section 4, the gas diffusion layer 11 and the microporous layer are stacked on the electrolyte membrane 10 via the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2, respectively, so that the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink are stacked. Each solvent of B2 is absorbed in the gas diffusion layer 11 and the microporous layer, and a catalyst layer is formed from each of the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2. That is, in the gas diffusion layer stacked portion 4, a stacked body 20 is formed in which the electrolyte membrane 10, the pair of catalyst layers, the pair of microporous layers, and the pair of gas diffusion layers 11 are stacked. Here, the catalyst layer is formed by removing at least a part of the solvent from the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2, and is not necessarily formed by removing all the solvent from the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2. Is not to be done.

  The drying chamber 5 is provided with a coarse drying unit 51. A pair of caterpillars 51 a is arranged in the coarse drying unit 51 so as to face each other with the stacked body 20 formed as described above interposed therebetween. Each of the caterpillars 51a is in contact with the stacked body 20 so as to be transported while pressing the stacked body 20 from both sides in order to prevent wrinkles from being generated in the electrolyte membrane 10. The laminate 20 carried into the drying chamber 5 is roughly dried by being heated while being pressed by the caterpillar 51 a in the coarse drying unit 51. The heating in the rough drying unit 51 is performed at about 80 ° C. to 100 ° C., for example.

  In the drying chamber 5, a heat treatment / pressure bonding unit 52 is provided following the coarse drying unit 51. The heat treatment / pressure bonding unit 52 heats the stacked body 20 at a high temperature to remove the residual solvent. Following the removal of the residual solvent, the heat treatment / pressure bonding unit 52 applies high temperature and pressure to the laminate 20 by a plurality of hot rolls 52a (as appropriate depending on the material of the electrolyte membrane), and the electrolyte membrane 10, catalyst layer, The microporous layer and the gas diffusion layer 11 are bonded together by pressing. Thereby, the membrane electrode assembly 30 is formed from the laminate 20.

  A cutting part 53 is provided at the subsequent stage of the heat treatment / pressure bonding part 52 in the drying chamber 5. The cutting part 53 cuts the membrane electrode assembly 30 into a desired size. Thereby, the membrane electrode assembly 30 having a desired size is manufactured.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, one Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly of this invention is described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the method for producing a membrane / electrode assembly of the present invention. This manufacturing method uses the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 described above.

  First, the electrolyte membrane 10 is prepared (step S101). Here, the electrolyte membrane 10 is wound together with the protective sheet S in a roll shape. Subsequently, while peeling off the protective sheet S, the electrolyte membrane 10 is introduced into the swelling liquid L stored in the swelling liquid tank 2, and the electrolyte film 10 is swollen with the swelling liquid L (step S102: first step). . In this step, the electrolyte membrane 10 is swollen by immersing the electrolyte membrane 10 in the swelling liquid L.

  Subsequently, the excess swelling liquid L is removed from the front surface 10a and the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10 by the web portion 32 of the catalyst ink application unit 3 (step S103: second step). Subsequently, tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane 10 by the tension adjusting unit 33 and the tension adjusting units 35a and 35b (step S104: third step). At this time, the tension adjusting unit 35a and the tension adjusting unit 35b hold the electrolyte membrane 10 in the uncoated region R2, as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, in a state where tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane 10, the die head 31 applies the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 respectively to the front surface 10a and the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10 (step S105: fourth step). . At this time, the area where the catalyst inks B1 and B2 are applied is an application area R1 following the unapplied area R2 held by the tension adjusters 35a and 35b, as shown in FIG.

  And the tension | tensile_strength provided to the electrolyte membrane 10 is cancelled | released by canceling | releasing the contact with the tension | tensile_strength adjustment part 35a and the tension adjustment part 35b, and the electrolyte membrane 10 (process S106: 5th process). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), another tension adjusting unit 35a and tension adjusting unit 35b hold the next uncoated region R2 of the electrolyte membrane 10, so that the electrolyte following the uncoated region R2 Tension is applied to the portion of the membrane 10.

  Subsequently, the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink are respectively formed on the surface 10a and the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10 in a state where the tension is released by applying the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 in the gas diffusion layer stacking portion 4. A microporous layer and a gas diffusion layer 11 are sequentially stacked via each of B2 (step S107: sixth step). At this time, the microporous layer and the gas diffusion layer 11 are slightly pressurized against the electrolyte membrane 10 to such an extent that no wrinkles are generated in the electrolyte membrane 10. Thereby, each solvent of catalyst ink B1 and catalyst ink B2 is absorbed in gas diffusion layer 11 and a microporous layer, and a catalyst layer is formed. And the laminated body 20 which consists of the electrolyte membrane 10, a catalyst layer, a microporous layer, and the gas diffusion layer 11 is formed.

  Subsequently, the coarse drying unit 51 performs rough drying of the laminate 20 while pressing the laminate 20 with a pair of caterpillars 51a (step S108: seventh step). Subsequently, heat treatment and pressure bonding of the laminate 20 are performed by the heat treatment / pressure bonding unit 52 (step S109: eighth step). Thereby, the electrolyte membrane 10, the catalyst layer, the microporous layer, and the gas diffusion layer 11 are pressure-bonded to each other, and the membrane electrode assembly 30 is formed. Then, the membrane electrode assembly 30 is cut into a desired size by the cutting unit 53 (step S110). Thereby, the membrane electrode assembly 30 having a desired size is manufactured.

  As described above, in the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the method of manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly 30 of the present embodiment, the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are applied after the electrolyte membrane 10 is swollen. For this reason, it is prevented that the electrolyte membrane swells and bends by the solvent contained in the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2. Further, in the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the method of manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly 30 according to the present embodiment, the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are applied to the electrolyte membrane 10 in a state where tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane 10. Therefore, the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 can be uniformly applied to the electrolyte membrane 10. Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the membrane electrode assembly 30 of the present embodiment, drying is performed after releasing the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane 10. For this reason, since the shrinkage | contraction of the electrolyte membrane 10 is not inhibited in the case of the drying, damage to the electrolyte membrane 10 can be prevented.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the membrane electrode assembly 30 of the present embodiment, the laminate 20 is dried while being pressed by the pair of caterpillars 51 a in the coarse drying unit 51. More specifically, in the method of manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the membrane electrode assembly 30 of the present embodiment, the gas diffusion layer 11 and the electrolyte membrane 10 are closely adhered by the pair of caterpillars 51a. The laminate 20 is roughly dried while applying a force to the diffusion layer 11. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of a wrinkle in the electrolyte membrane 10 is suppressed, and it is prevented that the electrolyte membrane 10, the catalyst layer, the microporous layer, and the gas diffusion layer 11 which comprise the laminated body 20 mutually shift.

  In the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the method of manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly 30 according to the present embodiment, the uncoated region R2 where the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are not applied is set in the electrolyte membrane 10. The uncoated region R2 can be used as a seal portion after the membrane electrode assembly 30 is completed.

  Further, in the catalyst ink application part 3, the web part 32 and the ink discharge port 31 a of the die head 31 are arranged close to each other. For this reason, immediately before applying the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 to the electrolyte membrane 10, the excess swelling liquid L adhering to the surface 10a and the back surface 10b of the electrolyte membrane 10 is removed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrolyte membrane 10 from being dried before the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 are applied to the electrolyte membrane 10.

  The above embodiment describes one embodiment of the method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly and the apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly according to the present invention, and the method for manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly according to the present invention and the membrane electrode bonding. The body manufacturing apparatus is not limited to the above. The membrane electrode assembly manufacturing method and the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can be modified from the above without departing from the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the method of manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the membrane electrode assembly 30 of the present embodiment, the same solvent as the solvent contained in both the catalyst ink B1 and the catalyst ink B2 as the swelling liquid L Can be used.

  In the membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 and the method of manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly 30 according to the present embodiment, it is necessary to dry each of the pair of catalyst layers (the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer) at different temperatures. In addition, although the number of man-hours is increased, it is possible to apply the catalyst ink for each catalyst layer to the electrolyte membrane 10 at different timings by applying the above-described method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, 2 ... Swelling liquid tank (swelling part), 4 ... Gas diffusion layer lamination | stacking part (lamination part), 10 ... Electrolyte membrane, 10a ... Surface, 10b ... Back surface, 11 ... Gas diffusion layer, 31 ... Die head (catalyst ink application part), 33 ... Tension adjustment part (tension application release part), 35a, 35b ... Tension adjustment part 35a (tension application release part), 51 ... Rough drying part (drying part), B1, B2 ... catalyst ink.

Claims (6)

A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly used in a fuel cell,
A first step of swelling the electrolyte membrane with a swelling liquid;
A second step of removing the swelling liquid from the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane after the first step;
A third step of applying tension to the electrolyte membrane after the second step;
After the third step, in a state where the tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane, a fourth step of applying a catalyst ink to the front surface and the back surface of the electrolyte membrane;
A fifth step for releasing the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane after the fourth step;
A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly, comprising: After the fifth step, a sixth step of laminating a gas diffusion layer via the catalyst ink on the front surface and the back surface of the electrolyte membrane;
A seventh step of drying the electrolyte membrane after the sixth step;
The method for producing a membrane / electrode assembly according to claim 1. In the sixth step, a microporous layer is disposed between the gas diffusion layer and the catalyst ink, and the solvent contained in the catalyst ink is absorbed by the microporous layer and the gas diffusion layer. Forming a catalyst layer from the catalyst ink,
The method for producing a membrane electrode assembly according to claim 2. After the seventh step, further comprising an eighth step of pressure bonding the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layer, the microporous layer, and the gas diffusion layer to each other.
The method for producing a membrane electrode assembly according to claim 3. In the seventh step, the electrolyte membrane is dried while applying a force to the gas diffusion layer so that the gas diffusion layer and the electrolyte membrane are in close contact with each other.
The manufacturing method of the membrane electrode assembly as described in any one of Claims 2-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. A membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly used in a fuel cell,
A swelling part for swelling the electrolyte membrane with the swelling liquid;
A swelling liquid removing portion for removing the swelling liquid on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane swollen;
A tension applying opening for applying tension to the electrolyte membrane from which the swelling liquid has been removed from the front surface and the back surface, and releasing the tension applied to the electrolyte membrane;
A catalyst ink application unit that applies catalyst ink to the front surface and the back surface of the electrolyte membrane during a period from when the tension is applied to the electrolyte membrane until the tension is released;
A laminated portion that laminates a gas diffusion layer via the catalyst ink on the front surface and the back surface of the electrolyte membrane to which the tension is released by applying the catalyst ink;
A drying section for drying the electrolyte membrane on which the gas diffusion layer is laminated;
A membrane electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

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