JP6834611B2 - Fuel cell manufacturing methods, fuel cells, and fuel cell manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell manufacturing method, a fuel cell, and a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus.

In recent years, fuel cells have been attracting attention as a power source with a low environmental load. A fuel cell is a clean power generation system in which the product of the electrode reaction is water in principle and has almost no adverse effect on the global environment. In particular, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are expected as power sources for electric vehicles because they operate at relatively low temperatures.

Such a method for manufacturing a fuel cell includes, for example, a step of press-molding the separator, a step of welding (joining) the separator, and a step of surface-treating the separator. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell further includes a step of assembling a module incorporating a separator and a membrane electrode assembly, and a step of assembling a stack from the module (Patent Document 1).

In the step of assembling this module, there is a step of joining the separator to the support member supporting the membrane electrode assembly using an adhesive.

By the way, in the step of adhering the resin, a surface modification treatment is performed in order to improve the adhesiveness. For example, in a method for producing a molded product made of a material containing a cyclic olefin resin, the surface of the material containing the cyclic olefin resin is irradiated with vacuum ultraviolet light, and the surface of the molded product is self-assembled without causing surface roughness. It forms an organized monolayer (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-190946 Patent No. 5733392

However, when ultraviolet irradiation is used for surface modification before adhering the support member and the separator as in Patent Document 2, the membrane electrode assembly supported by the support member is also exposed to ultraviolet rays. Then, there is a risk that the membrane electrode assembly will be deteriorated by ultraviolet rays.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell, a fuel cell, and a fuel, which can suppress deterioration of the membrane electrode assembly when the support member supporting the membrane electrode assembly is surface-modified by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. It is to provide a battery manufacturing apparatus.

In the method for manufacturing a fuel cell of the present invention that achieves the above object, a support member to which a membrane electrode assembly having an anode and a cathode electrode layer is bonded to both sides of an electrolyte membrane is prepared. The support member to which the membrane electrode assembly is bonded contains a resin to which a material that generates heat by ultraviolet irradiation is added. This resin is a cyclic olefin resin containing carbon black as a material that generates heat when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Irradiate a predetermined area of the resin portion of the prepared support member with ultraviolet rays. Apply the adhesive to the predetermined area. The separator is joined to the support member via an adhesive.

Further, the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object is a fuel cell manufacturing apparatus used at the stage of irradiating a predetermined region of a resin portion included in a support member with ultraviolet rays in the fuel cell manufacturing method. Is. This fuel cell manufacturing apparatus collects by a light source consisting of at least two wavelengths of UV-LED that irradiates ultraviolet rays of at least two wavelengths including a wavelength of at least 300 nm, a lens that collects ultraviolet rays from this light source, and a lens. It has a moving portion that moves the emitted ultraviolet rays relative to the support member.

According to the present invention, a support member containing a resin to which a material that generates heat when irradiated with ultraviolet rays is added is used to radiate ultraviolet rays to a predetermined region of the resin portion to modify the surface. As a result, the resin generates heat due to ultraviolet irradiation and the molecular bonds are easily dissociated. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation time can be shortened, and even if the membrane electrode assembly supported by the support member is exposed to ultraviolet rays, the time is long. Since it is shortened, deterioration can be suppressed.

It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part which shows a part of the laminated structure of a fuel cell. It is a figure which shows a mode that a support member supports a membrane electrode assembly. It is the schematic for demonstrating the manufacturing apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the adhesive region on a support member. It is a flow chart which shows the work procedure of joining a support member and a separator. It is explanatory drawing explaining the irradiation of ultraviolet rays to a support member. It is explanatory drawing explaining the ultraviolet irradiation for adhesive curing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the model of the molecular structure in order to explain the action of surface modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

First, an example of a fuel cell manufactured by a method for manufacturing a fuel cell will be described in this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a part of the laminated structure of the fuel cell. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the support member supports the membrane electrode assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 1 has a laminate 3 in which a predetermined number of single cells 2 that generate an electromotive force due to a reaction between a fuel gas (hydrogen) and an oxidant gas (oxygen) are laminated. This laminated body 3 is called a stack. A current collector plate 4, an insulating plate 5, and an end plate 6 are arranged at both ends of the laminated body 3, and these are fastened with die rod bolts 7 to form a fuel cell 1.

Six through holes are formed in one of the end plates 6 in order to circulate the fuel gas, the oxidant gas, and the cooling water inside the fuel cell 1. The six through holes constitute a fuel gas introduction port 8, a fuel gas discharge port 9, an oxidant gas introduction port 10, an oxidizer gas discharge port 11, a cooling water introduction port 12, and a cooling water discharge port 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the single cell 2 includes a membrane electrode assembly 20 having anode and cathode electrode layers (anode side electrode 23 and cathode side electrode 22) on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 21 and a membrane electrode assembly. It has a support member 50 that supports 20 and a support member 50. The single cell 2 further has a fuel cell metal separator 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a separator 30) arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the membrane electrode assembly 20 has an electrolyte membrane 21, a cathode side electrode 22, and an anode side electrode 23. Further, the membrane electrode assembly 20 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG.

The cathode side electrode 22 has a cathode side catalyst layer 221 and a cathode side gas diffusion layer 222.

The cathode side catalyst layer 221 contains a catalyst component, a conductive catalyst carrier supporting the catalyst component, and an electrolyte, and is a catalyst layer in which the reduction reaction of oxygen proceeds, and is arranged on one side of the electrolyte film 21. ..

Since the cathode side gas diffusion layer 222 supplies the oxidant gas to the cathode side catalyst layer 221, the cathode side gas diffusion layer 222 has sufficient gas diffusibility and conductivity. The cathode side gas diffusion layer 222 is arranged on the surface of the cathode side catalyst layer 221 opposite to the surface on which the electrolyte membrane 21 is arranged.

The anode-side electrode 23 has an anode-side catalyst layer 231 and an anode-side gas diffusion layer 232.

The anode-side catalyst layer 231 contains a catalyst component, a conductive catalyst carrier carrying the catalyst component, and an electrolyte, and is a catalyst layer in which the hydrogen oxidation reaction proceeds, and is arranged on the other side of the electrolyte film 21. ..

Since the anode-side gas diffusion layer 232 supplies fuel gas to the anode-side catalyst layer 231, it has sufficient gas diffusibility and conductivity. The anode-side gas diffusion layer 232 is arranged on the surface of the anode-side catalyst layer 231 opposite to the surface on which the electrolyte membrane 21 is arranged.

The electrolyte membrane 21 has a function of selectively permeating protons generated in the anode side catalyst layer 231 to the cathode side catalyst layer 221 and does not mix the fuel gas supplied to the anode side and the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode side. It has a function as a partition wall for the purpose.

The separator 30 has a function of electrically connecting the single cells 2 in series and a function of a partition wall for blocking the fuel gas, the oxidant gas and the cooling water from each other. The separator 30 is formed by, for example, pressing a stainless steel plate, and has an uneven shape for forming a flow path groove as shown in FIG. The stainless steel sheet is preferable in that it is easy to perform complicated machining and has good conductivity, and if necessary, a corrosion-resistant coating can be applied. By arranging the separator 30 on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly 20, the fuel gas flow path 31 for flowing the fuel gas, the oxidant gas flow path 32 for flowing the oxidant gas, and the cooling A cooling water flow path 33 for circulating water is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support member 50 is provided on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 20 and supports the membrane electrode assembly 20. The support member 50 is formed by injection molding a cyclic olefin resin which is a polymer material. When the support member 50 is molded by injection molding, the cyclic olefin resin impregnates the outer peripheral portions of the gas diffusion layers 222 and 232 to integrate the support member 50 and the membrane electrode assembly 20, and the support member 50 becomes a film. Supports the electrode assembly 20. Therefore, the handleability of the membrane electrode assembly 20 is improved. As shown in FIG. 3, the support member 50 corresponds to the end plate 6, and has a fuel gas introduction port 51, a fuel gas discharge port 52, an oxidant gas introduction port 53, an oxidant gas discharge port 54, and a cooling water introduction port. It has 55 and a cooling water discharge port 56.

As shown in FIG. 2, the separator 30 and the support member 50 are joined via an adhesive S.

The fuel gas is introduced from the fuel gas introduction port 8, flows through the fuel gas flow path 31 of the separator 30, and is discharged from the fuel gas discharge port 9. The oxidant gas is introduced from the oxidant gas introduction port 10, flows through the oxidant gas flow path 32 of the separator 30, and is discharged from the oxidant gas discharge port 11. The cooling water is introduced from the cooling water introduction port 12, flows through the cooling water flow path 33 of the separator 30, and is discharged from the cooling water discharge port 13.

Next, the material and size of each component will be described.

The electrolyte membrane 21 is a fluorine-based electrolyte membrane composed of a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid-based polymer, a hydrocarbon-based resin membrane having a sulfonic acid group, and a porous membrane impregnated with an electrolyte component such as phosphoric acid or an ionic liquid. , It is possible to apply. Examples of the perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid-based polymer are Nafion (registered trademark, manufactured by DuPont Co., Ltd.), Aciplex (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation), and Flemion (registered trademark, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.). The porous membrane is formed from, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

The electrolyte membrane 21 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 30 μm, more preferably 10 to 200 μm from the viewpoint of strength, durability and output characteristics.

Of the catalyst layers 221 and 231, the catalyst component used for the cathode side catalyst layer 221 is not particularly limited as long as it has a catalytic action on the reduction reaction of oxygen. Of the catalyst layers 221 and 231, the catalyst component used for the anode-side catalyst layer 231 is not particularly limited as long as it has a catalytic action on the oxidation reaction of hydrogen.

The catalyst component is, for example, from metals such as platinum, ruthenium, iridium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, tungsten, lead, iron, chromium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, gallium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. Be selected. In order to improve catalytic activity, toxicity resistance to carbon monoxide and the like, heat resistance and the like, those containing at least platinum are preferable. The catalyst components applied to the cathode side catalyst layer 221 and the anode side catalyst layer 231 do not have to be the same and can be changed as appropriate.

The conductive carrier of the catalyst used in the catalyst layers 221, 231 is not particularly limited as long as it has a specific surface area for supporting the catalyst component in a desired dispersed state and sufficient electron conductivity as a current collector. However, it is preferable that the main component is carbon particles. The carbon particles are composed of, for example, carbon black, activated carbon, coke, natural graphite, and artificial graphite.

The electrolyte used for the catalyst layers 221 and 231 is not particularly limited as long as it is a member having at least high proton conductivity. Specifically, for example, a fluorine-based electrolyte in which all or part of the polymer skeleton contains a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon-based electrolyte in which the polymer skeleton does not contain a fluorine atom can be applied. The electrolyte used for the catalyst layers 221 and 231 may be the same as or different from the electrolyte used for the electrolyte membrane 21, but they are the same from the viewpoint of improving the adhesion of the catalyst layers 221 and 231 to the electrolyte membrane 21. Is preferable.

The thickness of the catalyst layers 221, 231 is not particularly limited as long as the catalytic action of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (anode side) and the oxygen reduction reaction (cathode side) can be sufficiently exerted, and the same thickness as the conventional one is used. it can. Specifically, the thickness of each catalyst layer is preferably 1 to 10 μm.

The gas diffusion layers 222 and 232 are formed from, for example, carbon cloth, carbon paper, or carbon felt woven with threads made of carbon fibers. It is preferable that the gas diffusion layers 222 and 232 contain a water repellent agent to further enhance the water repellency and prevent a flooding phenomenon or the like. The water repellent is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a fluorine-based agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyhexafluoropropylene, or tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP). Polymer materials, polypropylene and polyethylene.

The thickness of the gas diffusion layers 222 and 232 is preferably about 30 to 500 μm in consideration of the mechanical strength and the permeation distance of gas, water, and the like. The water repellency can also be improved by molding an independent layer.

The separator 30 is made of a stainless steel plate as described above. However, it is not limited to the stainless steel plate, and other metal materials (for example, aluminum plate and clad material), and carbon such as dense carbon graphite and carbon plate can be applied. When carbon is applied, the fuel gas flow path 31 and the oxidant gas flow path 32 can be formed by cutting or screen printing.

The plate thickness of the separator 30 is, for example, 0.2 mm or less. By forming the separator 30 into a thin wall in this way, the electric resistance is reduced as much as possible, and the output density (defined as "electromotive force / unit volume"), which is one index of the performance evaluation of the fuel cell 1, is increased. Can be done.

The support member 50 is made of, for example, a cyclic olefin resin. As the cyclic olefin resin, for example, unsaturated polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, epoxy and the like are used.

Further, in the support member 50, an ultraviolet absorber is added to the resin. Carbon black is preferable as the ultraviolet absorber. The carbon black content in the resin is preferably 5 to 30% by mass. By setting the content within this range, the ultraviolet-irradiated portion generates heat during irradiation with ultraviolet rays, which will be described later, and surface modification can be performed quickly. Moreover, within this range, the entire resin material does not become brittle due to the addition of carbon black. Although the calorific value differs depending on the amount of carbon black added and the amount of ultraviolet rays, for example, by adding 30% by mass of carbon black, the maximum calorific value rises from room temperature (20 ° C.) to about 35 ° C.

As for carbon black, for example, it is preferable that fine particles are evenly dispersed in the resin. A well-known method may be used for dispersing carbon black in the resin. For example, the resin material is put into a mixer or the like, and the carbon black fine particles (powder) are mixed while heating.

As the ultraviolet absorber, in addition to carbon black, compounds such as benzotriazole-based, benzophenone-based, and triazine-based compounds can also be used. As is well known, these UV absorbers also absorb UV rays and release the energy as heat energy. Further, the compatibility with the resin material is good, and there is no problem even if it is added to the resin to be the support member 50. Therefore, when the resin to which these are added is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, heat is generated from the inside. This heat generation makes it easier for some of the molecular bonds that make up the resin to dissociate (details will be described later).

The adhesive S is, for example, an epoxy resin-based thermosetting adhesive S, which is cured by heating.

Next, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the fuel cell 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the manufacturing apparatus.

The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the fuel cell 1 according to the present embodiment is set on the surface of the XY stage 170 on which the work is placed and moved and the support member 50 which is the work on the side where the separator 30 is laminated. It has an irradiation unit 110 that irradiates the adhesive region 57 (predetermined region) with ultraviolet rays UV.

The XY stage 170 is a moving portion, on which the support member 50 is placed, and moves so that the adhesive region 57 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and UV rays.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an adhesive region on the support member. As shown in the figure, the adhesive region 57 on the support member 50 includes a peripheral portion of the support member 50, a fuel gas introduction port 51, a fuel gas discharge port 52, an oxidant gas introduction port 53, an oxidant gas discharge port 54, and cooling water. It is provided so as to be scattered around the introduction port 55 and the cooling water discharge port 56. Here, the adhesive regions 57 are provided in stripes at regular intervals, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. The XY stage 170 is moved to irradiate the adhesive region 57 with ultraviolet UV rays.

Instead of the XY stage 170, the irradiation unit 110 may be moved or a reflector may be used to scan the ultraviolet rays.

The irradiation unit 110 is surface-modified by irradiating the adhesive region 57 with ultraviolet UV rays. The irradiation unit 110 has light sources 151 and 152 that emit two ultraviolet UV rays having different wavelengths.

In front of the light sources 151 and 152, collimator lens groups 161 and 162 that make the light emitted from the light sources 151 and 152 parallel light, and condensing lenses 165 and 166 that collect the parallel light onto the work surface are provided. There is. Ultraviolet UV rays from the light sources 151 and 152 are focused on the adhesive region 57, which is the work surface, by the lens groups 161 and 162 and the condenser lenses 165 and 166, and the surface of the adhesive region 57 is surface-modified.

The wavelength of the light source 151, which is one of the light sources, is, for example, 300 nm. The wavelength of 300 nm dissociates the CC bond on the surface of the resin constituting the support member 50, and acts on carbon black (carbon) in the cyclic olefin resin to generate heat from the inside of the resin.

As is well known, the energy required to dissociate a molecular bond of a polymer material is based on the binding energy of the molecular bond. Although the CC bond differs depending on the type of polymer material, it can be dissociated if it is 300 nm in terms of the wavelength of light.

Further, the heat generating action by irradiating a resin containing carbon black with ultraviolet rays is well known, and when the carbon black absorbs the irradiated ultraviolet rays UV, it generates heat because it is released as heat energy. As a well-known literature, for example, "PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF POLYURETHANE - CARBON BLACK - GRAPHITE HYBRID COMPOSITES FOR ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE APPLICATIONS" UMI Number: the first 14 pages of 1,459,675, "Getting The Most Of Polypropylene, Polyethlene and TPO" Section 34 of Additives for Polyolefins Page, "HANDBOOK OF VINYL FORMULATING SECOND EDITION" RICHARD F. The 124th page of GROSSMAN WILEY and the like can be mentioned.

The wavelength of the light source 152, which is another light source, may be the same as, for example, the center wavelength of 172 nm of a conventionally used excimer lamp. At this wavelength, many molecular bonds can be dissociated. Incidentally, the main structural formulas of the cyclic olefin resin are shown in the following formula (Chemical formula 1).

As shown in (Chemical Formula 1), the cyclic olefin resin contains not only a CC bond but also a C—O bond, a C = O bond, and a CH bond. In order to dissociate these bonds, it is necessary to irradiate with light having a wavelength higher than the binding energy of these molecules. Incidentally, the conversion wavelength of the binding energy of CC is 339 nm, the conversion wavelength of the binding energy of CO is 374 nm, and the conversion wavelength of the binding energy of CH is 262 nm. The conversion wavelength of the binding energy of C = O is 151 nm. Therefore, many molecular bonds of the cyclic olefin resin can be dissociated by a central wavelength of 172 nm. In addition, the C = O bond can also be dissociated by using a wavelength shorter than 151 nm. However, this embodiment is ultraviolet irradiation for the purpose of surface modification. Therefore, it is sufficient to dissociate the C—C bond, the CO bond, and the CH bond, and it is not always necessary to perform ultraviolet irradiation having a high energy that dissociates the C = O bond.

The wavelength used as the light source 152 may be a wavelength such as 185 nm or 254 nm as in the existing UV lamp, in addition to 172 nm. Further, a plurality of light sources may be provided so that the ultraviolet UV rays having a plurality of wavelengths can be irradiated at one time. In addition, the wavelength of the light source used can be appropriately changed according to the resin material constituting the support member 50. However, one of the plurality of light sources is preferably 300 nm in order to promote heat generation of carbon black.

As these light sources 151 and 152, for example, UV-LED is preferable because of its small size and light weight. In this embodiment, by using the condenser lenses 165 and 166, the energy density of light can be increased even by using a UV-LED. Of course, the UV lamp may be used as in the conventional case.

Next, the work procedure in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a work procedure for joining the support member and the separator.

The method for manufacturing the fuel cell 1 according to the present embodiment is roughly described in a step (S1) of irradiating the surface including the adhesive region 57 of the support member 50 with ultraviolet UV to clean the surface, and ultraviolet rays on the adhesive region 57 of the support member 50. The process includes a step of irradiating UV to modify the surface (S2) and a step of adhering the support member 50 and the separator 30 (S3). This will be described in order below.

The surface cleaning step (S1) will be described.

First, the support member 50, which is a work, is set on the XY stage 170 of the fuel cell manufacturing apparatus 100 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the apparatus 100) (S101). At this time, the support member 50 as a work is in a state in which the membrane electrode assembly 20 is already bonded. Therefore, before starting this step, a work in which the membrane electrode assembly 20 is bonded to the support member 50 is prepared.

Subsequently, irradiation with ultraviolet rays of two wavelengths is started (S102). At this time, in the region to be irradiated, two wavelengths of ultraviolet UV are simultaneously irradiated to the entire surface of the support member 50 including the adhesive region 57.

Subsequently, after a lapse of a certain period of time, the ultraviolet irradiation is stopped (S103). Here, the fixed time may be the same as that of normal light cleaning, for example, about 5 to 60 seconds.

Subsequently, it is confirmed whether impurities have been removed (S104), which is, for example, a visual confirmation (including the case where a microscope is used). If it cannot be removed, the ultraviolet irradiation by S102 to S103 is performed again. If the removal of impurities is confirmed by this, the next step is to proceed to the surface modification step. This confirmation (S104) may not be necessary.

The surface modification step (S2) will be described.

First, the support member 50, which is a work, is set on the XY stage 170 of the device 100 (S201). When the confirmation of impurity removal (S104) is not performed, the support member 50 is still set on the XY stage 170, so the next S202 is performed as it is.

Subsequently, the support member 50 on the XY stage 170 is auxiliary heated (S202). For the auxiliary heating, for example, infrared rays, induction heating (IH), high temperature gas, microwaves, ultrasonic waves, lasers and the like can be used. By this auxiliary heating, the support member 50 is heated from the outside as well as heat generated from the inside of the resin by carbon black when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the molecular bond is more easily dissociated. The temperature of the auxiliary heating is about 30 to 50 ° C., and the temperature is set so that the resin constituting the support member 50 is not denatured. Since this auxiliary heating is heating from the outside, it is difficult to heat the inside of the resin. In the present embodiment, as described above, since carbon black is added to the resin, heat is also generated from the inside of the resin by ultraviolet irradiation. There may be no auxiliary heating.

Subsequently, the support member 50 is moved by the XY stage 170 so that the adhesive regions 57 scattered on the support member 50 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays of two wavelengths (S203). At this time, the area to be irradiated is only the adhesive area 57. In the present embodiment, since the ultraviolet UV from the UV-LED is concentrated and irradiated by the condenser lenses 165 and 166, the tact time can be shortened as compared with irradiating the entire support member 50 with the ultraviolet UV.

Subsequently, irradiation with ultraviolet rays of two wavelengths is started (S204).

Subsequently, after a lapse of a certain period of time, the ultraviolet irradiation is stopped (S205). Here, the fixed time is the time required for surface modification, for example, about several seconds to several minutes. The time required for this surface modification is not limited, but in this embodiment, since carbon black is added to the resin, it may be shorter than when carbon black is not added.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating irradiation of the support member with ultraviolet rays. As shown in the figure, the film electrode joint 20 comes close to the adhesive region 57 of the support member 50. Therefore, there is a possibility that the membrane electrode assembly 20 is also exposed to ultraviolet UV rays. In the present embodiment, by adding carbon black to the resin of the support member 50, heat is generated by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and the molecular bonds on the resin surface of the support member 50 are easily dissociated. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation time can be shortened as compared with the case where carbon black is not added. Therefore, even if the ultraviolet UV rays hit the membrane electrode assembly 20, the deterioration of the membrane electrode assembly 20 can be suppressed.

Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not all the adhesive regions 57 have been irradiated with ultraviolet UV, and if all the adhesive regions 57 have not been irradiated with ultraviolet UV (S206: NO), the process returns to S203 and the next adhesive region is next. The XY stage 170 is moved so that the 57 can be irradiated with ultraviolet UV rays. After that, S204 to 206 are executed. On the other hand, when the irradiation of all the bonding regions 57 with ultraviolet rays is completed, the surface modification step (S2) is completed and the next bonding step (S3) is performed.

The bonding step (S2) will be described.

The support member 50, which is a work, is set on the XY stage 170 of the device 100 (S301).

Subsequently, the adhesive S is applied to the adhesive region 57 (S302). At this time, the adhesive S is applied by sending out the adhesive S from a nozzle provided on, for example, a robot arm, and relatively moving the nozzle and the support member 50 to apply the adhesive S.

Subsequently, the separator 30 is placed on the support member 50 (S303).

Subsequently, the adhesive S portion is heated or irradiated with ultraviolet rays (S304). This cures the adhesive S. Whether to heat or irradiate with ultraviolet rays at this stage depends on the adhesive S used. If the thermosetting adhesive S is used, it will be heated at this stage. Further, if the ultraviolet curable adhesive S is used, the ultraviolet UV having a wavelength that cures the adhesive S is irradiated at this stage.

Here, an example in the case of ultraviolet irradiation will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating irradiation with ultraviolet rays for curing the adhesive. As shown in the figure, ultraviolet UV rays are emitted from the support member 50. The irradiation position is the adhesive region 57. Then, it is preferable to provide a reflective material 301 on the surface of the separator 30 that adheres to the support member 50. Since the separator 30 is made of metal, it is not necessary to provide a reflective material when reflecting ultraviolet rays. The region where the reflector 301 is provided is a portion including the adhesive region 57. As a result, the ultraviolet UV rays pass through the support member 50, are reflected by the reflective material 301 of the separator 30, and are more likely to hit the adhesive S. Therefore, the adhesive S can be cured in a shorter time. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation time can be shortened.

The irradiation direction of ultraviolet UV is not limited to such an example. The adhesive S may be irradiated from any position as long as it can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays and UV rays.

After heating or irradiating with ultraviolet rays for a certain period of time, the heating or irradiating with ultraviolet rays is stopped (S305) to end the treatment. The separator 30 is now joined to the support member 50.

The action of surface modification according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a model of the molecular structure for explaining the action of surface modification.

In the state (a) before irradiation with ultraviolet rays shown in the figure, all the molecules constituting the resin of the support member 50 are bonded. In addition, carbon black BC is added to the resin. When this is irradiated with ultraviolet UV, it becomes the state of (b) ultraviolet irradiation shown in the figure, and some molecular bonds are dissociated. At this time, ultraviolet UV rays also hit the carbon black BC and generate heat. Then, in the illustrated state (c) after the adhesive is cured, the molecules of the adhesive S component are bonded to the molecules in the support member 50 whose bond is dissociated.

In this way, by applying and curing the adhesive S after surface modification by ultraviolet irradiation, strong bonding with the support member 50 is possible via the adhesive S.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained.

In the present embodiment, since a material that generates heat when irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV is added to the resin constituting the support member 50, heat is generated by the irradiation with ultraviolet rays. This heat generation makes it possible to raise the temperature from room temperature (20 ° C.) to about 35 ° C. When heat is applied to the resin, its molecular bond is easily dissociated. Therefore, this heat generation makes it possible to dissociate molecular bonds in a shorter time than in the case where a material that generates heat when irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV is not added. As a result, the time during which the membrane electrode assembly 20 supported by the support member 50 is exposed to ultraviolet UV can be shortened, and direct deterioration due to ultraviolet UV can be suppressed.

In addition, ozone is generated depending on the ultraviolet rays and UV rays used. In particular, when the wavelength is 200 nm or less, ozone is generated. In the present embodiment, since the ultraviolet irradiation time can be shortened as described above, such ozone generation can be suppressed, the time when the membrane electrode assembly 20 is exposed to ozone can be shortened, and the deterioration due to ozone can be shortened. Can also be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, since a cyclic olefin resin is used as the resin constituting the support member 50 and carbon black is added thereto, heat is generated when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

Further, in the present embodiment, since it is decided to use at least two wavelengths of ultraviolet UV at the same time, it is possible to simultaneously cause heat generation and dissociation of necessary molecular bonds. In particular, by using ultraviolet UV having a wavelength of 300 nm, heat generation due to carbon black can be easily generated. Further, by selecting and using another wavelength according to the resin material, it is possible to dissociate the molecular bond effective for adhesion, efficiently form a functional group, and enhance the adhesion effect. Moreover, after the adhesive S is applied and cured, it is firmly bonded to the molecules dissociated by irradiating the support member 50 with ultraviolet rays.

Further, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can locally irradiate high energy by using the condenser lenses 165 and 166. Therefore, a huge amount of energy can be irradiated only to the adhesive region 57 in a short time, so that the cycle time can be shortened.

In addition, the wavelength can be used properly depending on the irradiation site, and the processes that have been processed separately can be integrated into one, and the cycle time can be further shortened.

Further, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may prepare a plurality of irradiation units 110 for irradiating ultraviolet UV rays and change the irradiation position. By having a plurality of irradiation portions 110, not only the adhesive region 57 on the support member 50 but also the portion connecting the membrane electrode assembly 20 to the support member 50 is simultaneously irradiated with ultraviolet UV to modify the surface. be able to. Therefore, the cycle time can be shortened. In particular, by using the UV-LED, the configuration of the irradiation unit 110 can be made smaller and lighter than that by using the excimer lamp, so that the number of irradiation units 110 (particularly the number of light sources) can be easily increased.

Although the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, the present invention may have a configuration other than the embodiment described here, and the present invention has various modifications defined by the matters specified by the claims. Is possible.

1 fuel cell,
20 Membrane electrode assembly,
21 Electrolyte membrane,
22 Cathode side electrode,
23 Anode side electrode,
30 Separator,
50 Support member,
57 Adhesive area,
100 manufacturing equipment,
110 Irradiator,
151, 152 light source (UV-LED),
165, 166 Condensing Lens 170 XY Stage,
301 Reflective material,
BC carbon black,
S adhesive,
UV UV.

Claims (4)

At the stage of preparing a support member to which a membrane electrode assembly having anode and cathode electrode layers on both sides of the electrolyte membrane is bonded, and
The support member contains a resin to which a material that generates heat by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is added, and a step of irradiating a predetermined region of the resin portion with ultraviolet rays
The stage of applying the adhesive to the predetermined area and
At the stage of joining the separator to the support member via the adhesive,
Have a, the resin, the cyclic olefin resin containing carbon black as a material that generates heat by irradiation with ultraviolet light, the manufacturing method of the fuel cell. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the carbon black is contained in the resin in an amount of 5 to 30% by mass. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of irradiating the ultraviolet rays simultaneously irradiates at least two wavelengths including a wavelength of at least 300 nm. A fuel cell manufacturing apparatus used in a stage of irradiating a predetermined region of a resin portion included in a support member with ultraviolet rays in the fuel cell manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A light source consisting of at least two wavelengths of UV-LED that irradiates at least two wavelengths of ultraviolet light, including at least 300 nm.
A lens that collects the ultraviolet rays from the light source and
A moving portion that moves the ultraviolet rays collected by the lens relative to the support member, and
Fuel cell manufacturing equipment with.