KR20170040443A - Membrane-electrode assembly and preparation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly used in a fuel cell or the like, and a production method thereof. An upper surface and a bottom surface of an edge portion where an electrode is not laminated in a membrane are protected by a first gasket and a second gasket, respectively. A side edge of the membrane can be protected by sealing through insertion of a third gasket into a gap between the first gasket and the second gasket, wherein the gap dose not include the membrane.

Description

[0001] MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF [0002]

The present invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly for use in a fuel cell or the like and a method of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND ART A fuel cell is a cell that converts the chemical reaction energy of a fuel and an oxidant into electrical energy. Hydrocarbons such as methanol, butane and the like are used as the fuel, and oxygen is used as the oxidant. Such a fuel cell has attracted particular attention due to its advantages such as high efficiency, emission of pollutants such as NOx and SOx, abundance of fuel to be used, and the like.

The most basic unit for generating electricity in a fuel cell is a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), which is composed of a membrane used as an electrolyte membrane and an anode and a cathode formed on both sides of the membrane. In the anode electrode, the oxidation reaction of the fuel occurs, hydrogen ions and electrons are generated, hydrogen ions move to the cathode electrode through the membrane, and oxygen (oxidant) and the membrane The electrons are transferred to the external circuit by the reaction that the electrons and the hydrogen ions transferred through the reaction are generated.

Membranes used in membrane-electrode assemblies of fuel cells have properties such as hygroscopic properties and swelling and wrinkles. Such characteristics lead to not only difficulties in the process of manufacturing the fuel cell stack but also deterioration of the membrane electrode assembly.

As a solution to this problem, membrane-electrode assemblies of the type including the gaskets 310 and 320 are manufactured as shown in FIG. 2 in order to improve the moisture resistance and durability of the membrane at both ends of the membrane. The gaskets 310 and 320 can increase the mechanical strength of the membrane-electrode assembly to facilitate stacking, improve durability during operation of the stack, and stabilize gas leakage.

However, in the conventional MEA structure, since the side of the membrane 100 is exposed to the outside at the edge portion (the dashed line portion in FIG. 2) of the MEA, the water inside the membrane can be drained to the outside, The moisture can be admitted into the MEA. Accordingly, when the fuel cell is driven for a long time, the performance of the fuel cell may be deteriorated due to water flow through the edge portion of the MEA, or excessive water may be generated.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2010-0018579 (Feb.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a membrane-electrode assembly having a novel structure capable of preventing performance deterioration of a fuel cell and improving lifetime characteristics by solving the problem that edge portions of conventional membrane-electrode assemblies are vulnerable to moisture inflow and outflow, .

In accordance with the above object, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a membrane, comprising: (a) a membrane; (b) a first gasket and a second gasket laminated on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane so as to cover the edge of the membrane and protrude from the side edges; (c) two electrodes stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, respectively, so as to cover a central portion of the membrane where the first gasket and the second gasket are not present; And (d) a third gasket formed in a gap between the first gasket and the second gasket in the absence of the membrane, sealing the side edge of the membrane, wherein the third gasket comprises a thermosetting polymer resin, At least one polymer resin selected from a polymer resin, a polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a membrane, comprising: (1) preparing a membrane; (2) stacking a first gasket and a second gasket on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, respectively, so as to protrude from the side edges while covering the edge of the membrane; (3) stacking two electrodes on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, respectively, so as to cover a central portion of the membrane where the first gasket and the second gasket are not present; And (4) sealing a side edge of the membrane by forming a third gasket in a gap between the first gasket and the second gasket in the absence of the membrane, wherein the third gasket comprises a thermosetting polymer resin, A photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin. The present invention also provides a method for producing a membrane-electrode assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a method for producing a membrane, comprising the steps of: (1 ') preparing a membrane; (2 '), a second gasket is laminated on the lower surface of the membrane so as to cover the edge of the membrane, and a side end of the membrane is protruded, and the membrane ; ≪ / RTI > (3 ') sealing a side edge of the membrane by forming a third gasket having the same thickness as the membrane on a surface of the second gasket on which the membrane is not present; And (4 ') laminating a first gasket on an upper surface of the membrane and the third gasket so as to cover an edge portion of the membrane and the third gasket, and to cover a central portion of the membrane where the first gasket does not exist Wherein the third gasket comprises at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin, wherein the third gasket comprises an electrode on the upper surface of the membrane, ≪ / RTI >

The present invention also provides a fuel cell comprising the membrane-electrode assembly.

The membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) of the present invention protects the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane edge portions where the electrodes are not laminated respectively by the first gasket and the second gasket, and the membrane between the first gasket and the second gasket is not present The side edge of the membrane can be sealed by inserting a third gasket into the gap. Accordingly, the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is not exposed to the outside of the membrane at all, so that water flow through the edge portion of the MEA can be completely blocked.

In particular, since the first gasket, the second gasket, and the third gasket seal the membrane without a gap therebetween, water flow into and out of the MEA can be essentially blocked. As a result, the membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention has excellent durability and mechanical strength, and can greatly improve the performance of a fuel cell employing the membrane-electrode assembly.

In addition, the liquid polymer resin used as a raw material of the third gasket has fluidity at room temperature and is easy to apply, can be uniformly dried or cured after application to be adhered to the first gasket and the second gasket, It is resistant to protect the side edge of the electrode. This makes it possible to secure the oil tightness, water tightness and airtightness of the joint portion in the membrane-electrode assembly, thereby preventing leakage and exhibiting the function of internal pressure.

1 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure of a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
2 shows a cross-sectional structure of a conventional membrane-electrode assembly.
3 shows an example of a method for producing the membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows another example of the method for producing the membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows an example of a step of injecting a liquid polymer resin.
Fig. 6 shows another example of a step of injecting a liquid polymer resin.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, sizes, intervals, and the like may be exaggerated to facilitate understanding, and descriptions of those apparent to those skilled in the art may be omitted.

Referring to Figure 1, the membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention comprises

(a) a membrane 100;

(b) a first gasket 310 and a second gasket 320 which are respectively laminated on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 so as to cover the edge of the membrane 100 and have side ends protruding therefrom;

(c) two electrodes 210 and 210 stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 so as to cover the central portion of the membrane 100 where the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are not present, 220); And

(d) a third gasket (330) formed in a gap between the first gasket (310) and the second gasket (320) in the absence of the membrane (100) and sealing the side edge of the membrane Including,

The third gasket 330 includes at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin and a photo-curable polymer resin.

Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

electrode

The membrane-electrode assembly has two electrodes 210 and 220 facing each other.

The two electrodes may be an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, respectively. The electrode may be a gas diffusion electrode.

The anode electrode can generate hydrogen ions by oxidizing hydrogen or a liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as methanol, butanol, propanol, formic acid and the like. The anode may comprise a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. As the catalyst layer, a catalyst such as platinum, ruthenium, osmium, a platinum-ruthenium alloy, a platinum-osmium alloy, a platinum-palladium alloy, or a platinum-transition metal alloy may be used.

The cathode electrode serves to reduce an oxidizing agent such as oxygen. The cathode may comprise a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. For example, platinum or a platinum-transition metal alloy may be used for the catalyst layer.

The gas diffusion layer included in the anode electrode and the cathode electrode functions as a current conductor and also moves and diffuses a reactant and water such as a fuel and an oxidant. The gas diffusion layer may be formed of, for example, carbon paper, carbon cloth, carbon felt, or the like. A microporous layer may be formed on a surface of the gas diffusion layer in contact with the catalyst layer.

The two electrodes may have the same area.

In addition, the two electrodes may cover a central portion of an area corresponding to 60 to 99% of the total area of the membrane. More specifically, the two electrodes may cover a central portion of an area corresponding to 60 to 95%, 70 to 98%, or 70 to 95% of the total area of the membrane.

Membrane

The membrane 100 transfers hydrogen ions generated from the anode electrode of the membrane-electrode assembly to the cathode electrode and electrically separates the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

The membrane is not particularly limited as long as it is a polymer film used as an electrolyte membrane in a fuel cell or the like. The membrane may be a flexible polymer film.

For example, the membrane may be formed of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer resin, a hydrocarbon polymer resin, a polyimide resin, a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a polyether sulfone resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin, a polyphenylene oxide resin, A polymer resin selected from the group consisting of a resin, a polyethylene naphthalate resin, a polyester resin, a doped polybenzimidazole resin, a polyether ketone resin, a polysulfone resin, an ion conductive polymer resin thereof, and a mixed resin thereof .

The thickness of the membrane is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10 占 퐉 to 200 占 퐉, specifically 10 占 퐉 to 150 占 퐉, more specifically 20 占 퐉 to 100 占 퐉.

The first gasket and the second gasket

The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 cover the upper and lower surfaces of the edge of the membrane 100 to protect the edge of the membrane 100 and prevent the flow of water.

The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 so as to protrude from the side edge of the membrane 100 while covering the edge of the membrane 100.

The two electrodes 210 and 220 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 so as to cover the center portion of the membrane 100 where the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are not present. The two electrodes 210 and 220 may be stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 such that the edges of the two electrodes overlap with the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 (See Fig. 1).

Alternatively, the two electrodes 210 and 220 may not be overlapped with the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320. In this case, the edges of the two electrodes 210 and 220 It is preferable that the ends of the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are in contact with each other so as to be free from the gap between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320.

The first gasket and the second gasket may have the same area.

The first gasket and the second gasket may cover an edge portion of an area corresponding to 1 to 40% of the total area of the membrane. More specifically, the first gasket and the second gasket may cover an edge portion having an area corresponding to 3 to 40%, 5 to 40%, 5 to 35%, or 5 to 30% of the total area of the membrane .

The first gasket and the second gasket may be rigid polymer films. For example, the first gasket and the second gasket may include a polymer resin selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and a mixed resin thereof.

The first gasket and the second gasket may have a thickness of 10 탆 to 60 탆, and more specifically, may have a thickness of 10 탆 to 40 탆.

The first gasket and the second gasket may have the same spacing between them at every point. For example, the first gasket and the second gasket may be equidistantly spaced from the end points of their side surfaces and the points stacked on the membrane. In particular, the first gasket and the second gasket may be spaced apart from each other by the thickness of the membrane at all points.

Third gasket

The third gasket 330 is formed in a gap between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 where the membrane 100 is not present and seals the side edge of the membrane 100 do.

The third gasket includes at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin.

The third gasket may be formed by thermosetting or photo-curing a liquid thermosetting or photo-curable polymer resin. Alternatively, the third gasket may be formed by drying a viscous polymer resin in a liquid state.

Specifically, the third gasket may be formed by injecting or applying a liquid thermosetting polymer resin or a liquid photo-curable polymer resin into a gap where the membrane is not present between the first gasket and the second gasket, Or may be formed by injecting or applying a viscous polymer resin in a liquid state and drying it.

According to an example, the third gasket may include a thermosetting polymer resin. Specifically, the third gasket may include a thermosetting polymer resin selected from the group consisting of a fluororesist resin, a silicone resin, and a mixture thereof. More preferably, the third gasket may include at least one thermosetting polymer resin such as polyvinylidine fluoride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate.

According to another example, the third gasket may include a photocurable polymer resin. For example, the third gasket may include an ultraviolet (UV) curable polymer resin, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a polymer resin that is cured by a wavelength other than UV or a polymer resin that is cured by an e- .

Specifically, the third gasket may include a photo-curable polymer resin selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, an unsaturated ester resin, an epoxy resin, an oxetane resin, a cationic vinyl ether resin, and a mixture thereof. More specifically, the third gasket may include at least one thermosetting polymer resin such as an epoxy acrylate resin, a urethane acrylate resin, a polyester acrylate resin, a silicone acrylate resin, and a vinyl ether resin.

The photocurable polymer resin may be classified into two types, that is, a radical polymerization type and a cationic polymerization type, depending on the curing mechanism. In the prior art, a radical polymerizable type photo-curable polymer resin is mainly used, but in order to avoid problems such as inhibition of surface hardening by oxygen, cationic polymerization type photo-curable polymer resin is preferable.

According to another example, the third gasket may include a sticky polymer resin. As the adhesive polymer resin, a sticky polymer resin that is conventional in the art can be used.

In the present invention, the third gasket 330 may be formed without a separate adhesive layer. Accordingly, the third gasket 330 can be in direct contact with the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 without a separate adhesive layer.

The third gasket may have a thickness of 10 탆 to 2000 탆, specifically, a thickness of 10 탆 to 150 탆, more specifically, a thickness of 20 탆 to 100 탆.

Preferably, the third gasket may have the same thickness as the membrane. Accordingly, the first gasket and the second gasket may not have gaps or gaps therebetween other than the membrane and the third gasket.

3, a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes:

(1) fabricating a membrane 100;

(2) stacking a first gasket 310 and a second gasket 320 on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100, respectively, so as to protrude from the side edge of the membrane 100 while covering the edge of the membrane 100;

(3) The two electrodes 210 and 220 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 so as to cover the central portion of the membrane 100 where the first and second gaskets 310 and 320 are not present. Respectively;

(4) A third gasket 330 is formed in a gap between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 in the absence of the membrane 100 to seal the side edge of the membrane 100 Wherein the third gasket (330) comprises at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin.

Each step will be described in detail below.

(1) Manufacture of membranes

This step is a step of manufacturing the membrane 100.

The membrane may be a flexible polymer film, and specific types of the polymer resin used as the material thereof are as exemplified above.

Preferably, the membrane may be prepared by hydroprocessing a polymer resin to be used as a material of the membrane. Through the acid water treatment, the end of the polymer chain can be transformed into the H ⁺ form.

(2) stacking the first gasket and the second gasket

In this step, the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100, respectively, so as to protrude from the side edge of the membrane 100 while covering the edge of the membrane 100.

The first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 may be rigid polymer films, and specific types of the polymer resin used as the material of the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are as described above.

The stacking of the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 may be performed by a conventional method.

(3) electrode and membrane lamination

In this step, the two electrodes 210 and 220 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane 100 so as to cover the central portion of the membrane 100 where the first and second gaskets 310 and 320 are not present. Respectively.

The lamination may be performed by a hot press process. The heat pressing process may be performed at a temperature of, for example, 130 to 140 ° C.

In this step, the two electrodes 210 and 220 may be stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, with their edge portions overlapping the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320.

Through this step, a laminate is obtained in which the membrane 100, the two electrodes 210 and 220, the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 are tightly bonded by thermal welding.

On the other hand, the electrode used in this step

(2-1) fabricating a gas diffusion layer (GDL);

(2-2) forming a microporous layer (MPL) on the gas diffusion layer;

(2-3) forming a catalyst layer (CL) on the microporous layer.

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) may be prepared by coating carbon paper with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example. The PTFE is a fluoride-based polymer resin and can play a role of waterproofing and adhesion.

The microporous layer (MPL) may be prepared, for example, by coating carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on the gas diffusion layer and then heating.

The catalyst layer CL may be prepared, for example, by coating platinum (Pt) and an ionomer supported on activated carbon or the like on the microporous layer, followed by heating. The platinum may be, for example, 5 to 6 mm in diameter.

(4) Formation of the third gasket

In this step, a third gasket 330 is formed in a gap between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 in the absence of the membrane 100 to seal the side edge of the membrane 100 .

The third gasket may include at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin, and specific examples thereof are as described above.

For example, the third gasket 330 is a gap between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 in the absence of the membrane 100, in the form of a liquid thermosetting polymer resin. A photo-curable polymer resin, or a mixed resin thereof, and then thermosetting or photo-curing, or simultaneously performing thermal curing and photo-curing.

Alternatively, the third gasket 330 may be formed by injecting a liquid adhesive polymer resin into a gap between the first gasket 310 and the second gasket 320 where the membrane 100 is not present, (I.e., solidified).

An example of a step of injecting the liquid polymer resin is shown in Fig.

Referring to FIG. 5, the upper mold frame 410 is mounted on one of the two electrodes stacked on the membrane, and the lower mold frame 420 is mounted on the other electrode. The upper mold frame 410 and the lower mold frame 420 are provided with vacuum holes 430 so that the first gasket and the second gasket are fixed while being adsorbed so that a liquid polymer resin is injected between the first gasket and the second gasket Thereby securing a clearance 500 that can be formed. Then, the liquid polymer resin is injected into the gap 500. The liquid polymer resin injected into the gap 500 may be cured or dried by the heat ray 440 or the light source 450 or the like to be formed as the third gasket.

The light source may be a UV light source, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a light source of a wavelength other than UV may be used, or an emission source of an e-beam may be used.

Such an implantation process can be performed at each edge portion of four sides, respectively.

Another example of the step of injecting the liquid polymer resin is shown in Fig.

Referring to FIG. 6, the left frame 410 'is mounted on one of the two electrodes stacked on the membrane, and the right frame 420' is mounted on the other electrode. A vacuum hole 430 is provided in the left mold frame 410 'and the right mold frame 420' so that the first gasket and the second gasket are fixed while being adsorbed so that a liquid polymer resin Thereby securing a clearance 500 through which the gas can be injected. Then, the liquid polymer resin is injected into the gap 500. The liquid polymer resin injected into the gap 500 may be cured or dried by the heat ray 440 or the light source 450 or the like to be formed as the third gasket.

The light source may be a UV light source, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a light source of a wavelength other than UV may be used, or an emission source of an e-beam may be used.

Such an implantation process can be performed at each edge portion of four sides, respectively.

6, the liquid phase polymer resin to be injected into the gap 500 is low in viscosity, and therefore, when the liquid phase polymer is horizontal as shown in FIG. 5, This is particularly suitable when the resin may flow down during injection.

The liquid polymeric resin used as a raw material of the third gasket has fluidity at room temperature and is easy to apply, can be uniformly dried or cured after application to be adhered to the first gasket and the second gasket, and has elasticity and fluid resistance To protect the side edge of the electrode. This makes it possible to secure the oil tightness, water tightness and airtightness of the joint portion in the membrane-electrode assembly, thereby preventing leakage and exhibiting the function of internal pressure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly according to another example of the present invention

(1 ') membrane 100;

A second gasket 320 is laminated on the lower surface of the membrane 100 so as to protrude from the side edge of the membrane 100 while covering the edge of the membrane 100 and the second gasket 320 of the membrane is present (210) on the lower surface of the membrane (100) so as to cover the central portion where the electrode (210) is not provided;

A third gasket 330 is formed on the surface of the second gasket 320 on which the membrane 100 is not present so as to have the same thickness as that of the membrane 100, ; And

A first gasket 310 is laminated on the upper surface of the membrane 100 and the third gasket 330 to cover the edge of the membrane 100 and the third gasket 330, Depositing an electrode (210) on an upper surface of the membrane (100) so as to cover a central portion of the membrane (100) where the first gasket (310) does not exist,

The third gasket 330 includes at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin.

Each step will be described in detail below.

(1 ' ) Preparation of Membrane

This step is a step of manufacturing the membrane 100.

The membrane may be a flexible polymer film, and specific types of the polymer resin used as the material thereof are as exemplified above.

Preferably, the membrane may be prepared by hydroprocessing a polymer resin to be used as a material of the membrane. Through the acid water treatment, the end of the polymer chain can be transformed into the H ⁺ form.

(2 ' ) stacking the second gasket and the electrode

In this step, the second gasket 320 is laminated on the lower surface of the membrane 100 so that the side end of the membrane 100 is covered with the edge of the membrane 100, and the second gasket 320 of the membrane is not present And the electrode 210 is laminated on the lower surface of the membrane 100 so as to cover the central portion.

The second gasket 320 may be a hard polymer film, and specific types of the polymer resin used as the material of the second gasket 320 are as described above.

The stacking of the second gasket 320 can be performed by a conventional method.

In addition, the electrode can be manufactured by the above-described method.

(3 ' ) Formation of third gasket

In this step, a third gasket 330 having the same thickness as that of the membrane 100 is formed on the surface of the second gasket 320 on which the membrane 100 does not exist to form a side edge of the membrane 100 Sealing step.

The third gasket may include at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin, and specific examples thereof are as described above.

For example, the third gasket 330 is a liquid thermosetting polymer resin on the surface of the second gasket 320 on which the membrane 100 is not present. A photo-curable polymer resin, or a mixed resin thereof, followed by thermosetting or photo-curing, or simultaneously performing thermal curing and photo-curing.

Alternatively, the third gasket 330 may be formed by applying a liquid adherent polymer resin on the surface of the second gasket 320 on which the membrane 100 does not exist, and drying (i.e., solidifying) have.

At this time, the liquid polymer resin may be applied to the same thickness as the membrane, and then cured or dried.

(4 ' ) stacking the first gasket and the electrode

In this step, a first gasket 310 is laminated on the upper surface of the membrane 100 and the third gasket 330 to cover the edge portion of the membrane 100 and the third gasket 330, (210) on the upper surface of the membrane (100) so as to cover a central portion of the membrane (100) where the first gasket (310) does not exist.

The first gasket 310 may be a hard polymer film, and specific types of the polymer resin used as the material of the first gasket 310 are as described above.

The lamination of the first gasket 310 may be performed by a conventional method.

In addition, the electrode can be manufactured by the above-described method.

In such a manufacturing method, the liquid polymer resin to be a raw material of the third gasket is hardened or solidified, thereby providing adhesion between the first gasket and the second gasket, thereby enhancing the bonding force.

The present invention also provides a fuel cell comprising the membrane-electrode assembly.

The fuel cell may include two or more membrane-electrode assemblies. Specifically, the membrane-electrode assembly may be included in the fuel cell in the form of a stack of two or more stacked stacks.

The fuel cell can be used in various fields such as a power source for an automobile, a household power generator, a mobile power source, and a military power source.

100: membrane, 210, 220: electrode,
310: first gasket, 320: second gasket,
330: Third gasket, 410: Hollow frame,
410 ': left frame, 420: bottom frame,
420 ': woof frame, 430: vacuum hole,
440: heat line, 450: light source,
500: Clearance.

Claims (15)

(a) a membrane;
(b) a first gasket and a second gasket laminated on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane so as to cover the edge of the membrane and protrude from the side edges;
(c) two electrodes stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, respectively, so as to cover a central portion of the membrane where the first gasket and the second gasket are not present; And
(d) a third gasket formed in a gap between the first gasket and the second gasket in the absence of the membrane to seal a side edge of the membrane, wherein the third gasket comprises a thermosetting polymeric resin, A resin, and a sticky polymer resin.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the third gasket comprises a thermosetting polymer resin selected from the group consisting of a fluororesist resin, a silicone resin, and a mixture thereof.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the third gasket comprises a photo-curable polymer resin selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, an unsaturated ester resin, an epoxy resin, an oxetane resin, a cationic vinyl ether resin, and a mixture thereof. Electrode assembly.
The method according to claim 1,
The third gasket
A liquid thermosetting polymer resin or a liquid photo-curable polymer resin is injected or applied to a gap where the membrane is not present between the first gasket and the second gasket, and then cured, or a liquid viscous polymer resin is injected And then dried to form a membrane-electrode assembly.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the third gasket is in direct contact with the first gasket and the second gasket without a separate adhesive layer.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the two electrodes are stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane so that the edge portions of the two electrodes overlap with the first gasket and the second gasket.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first gasket and the second gasket cover an edge portion having an area corresponding to 5% to 40% of the total area of the membrane,
Wherein the two electrodes cover a central portion of an area corresponding to 70% to 95% of the total area of the membrane.
The method according to claim 1,
Said third gasket having the same thickness as said membrane,
Wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are spaced apart from each other by the thickness of the membrane at every point.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first gasket and the second gasket have no gap therebetween other than the membrane and the third gasket.
(1) preparing a membrane;
(2) stacking a first gasket and a second gasket on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, respectively, so as to protrude from the side edges while covering the edge of the membrane;
(3) stacking two electrodes on the upper and lower surfaces of the membrane, respectively, so as to cover a central portion of the membrane where the first gasket and the second gasket are not present; And
(4) forming a third gasket in a gap between the first gasket and the second gasket in the absence of the membrane to seal the side edge of the membrane, wherein the third gasket comprises a thermosetting polymer resin, Wherein the polymeric resin comprises at least one polymer resin selected from the group consisting of an acrylic polymer, a methacrylic polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin.
11. The method of claim 10,
The third gasket may be formed by injecting a liquid thermosetting polymer resin, a liquid photo-curable polymer resin, or a mixed resin thereof into a gap where the membrane is not present between the first gasket and the second gasket, Wherein the photo-curing step is performed by photo-curing or simultaneously performing thermal curing and photo-curing.
12. The method of claim 11,
The injection of the polymer resin
The first gasket and the second gasket are adsorbed and fixed by the upper frame and the lower frame having the vacuum holes to secure a clearance through which the liquid polymer resin can be injected between the first gasket and the second gasket Wherein the membrane-electrode assembly is a membrane-electrode assembly.
(1 ')membrane;
(2 '), a second gasket is laminated on the lower surface of the membrane so as to cover the edge of the membrane, and a side end of the membrane is protruded, and the membrane ; ≪ / RTI >
(3 ') sealing a side edge of the membrane by forming a third gasket having the same thickness as the membrane on a surface of the second gasket on which the membrane is not present; And
A first gasket is laminated on an upper surface of the membrane and the third gasket to cover an edge portion of the membrane and the third gasket, Depositing an electrode on an upper surface of the membrane,
Wherein the third gasket comprises at least one polymer resin selected from a thermosetting polymer resin, a photo-curable polymer resin, and a viscous polymer resin.
14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the third gasket is formed by applying a liquid viscous polymer resin on a surface of the first gasket on which the membrane is not present, and then drying the liquid.
A fuel cell comprising the membrane-electrode assembly of claim 1.

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