WO2002069423A1 - Procede de formation d'un ensemble de diffusion electrode-membrane a utiliser dans une pile a combustion dotee d'une membrane echangeuse d'ions - Google Patents

Procede de formation d'un ensemble de diffusion electrode-membrane a utiliser dans une pile a combustion dotee d'une membrane echangeuse d'ions Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002069423A1
WO2002069423A1 PCT/US2001/014071 US0114071W WO02069423A1 WO 2002069423 A1 WO2002069423 A1 WO 2002069423A1 US 0114071 W US0114071 W US 0114071W WO 02069423 A1 WO02069423 A1 WO 02069423A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
diffusion layer
applying
electrolyte membrane
providing
ion conducting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/014071
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David R. Lott
P. David Devries
Original Assignee
Avista Laboratories, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/792,085 external-priority patent/US6383556B2/en
Application filed by Avista Laboratories, Inc. filed Critical Avista Laboratories, Inc.
Publication of WO2002069423A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002069423A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1004—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0082—Organic polymers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for forming a membrane electrode diffusion assembly for use in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell.
  • a fuel cell generates electricity from a fuel source, such as hydrogen gas, and an oxidant such as oxygen or air.
  • a fuel source such as hydrogen gas
  • an oxidant such as oxygen or air.
  • the resulting chemical reaction does not result in a burning of the fuel, therefore the thermodynamic limits on the efficiency of such a chemical reaction are much greater than conventional power generation processes.
  • the fuel gas hydrogen
  • the hydrogen ions diffuse across the membrane to recombine with oxygen ions on the cathode.
  • the resulting byproduct of the reaction is water and the production of an electrical current.
  • a proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system which includes discrete and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell modules which are self humidifying and which employ a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which provides increased reliability and other advantages not possible heretofore with respect to fuel cell designs which have been primarily directed to stack-type arrangements.
  • One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a membrane electrode diffusion assembly for use in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell which includes providing an ion conducting electrolyte membrane having opposite sides; and applying a first diffusion layer to one of the opposite sides of the ion conducting electrolyte membrane by the application of force sufficient to fabricate a resulting membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has an optimal operational temperature range when utilized in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell of less than about 95 degrees C.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for forming a membrane electrode diffusion assembly for use in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell which includes providing an ion conducting electrolyte membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides; affixing an anode and cathode electrode on the respective anode and cathode sides; positioning a first diffusion layer on one of the anode and/or cathode sides of the ion conducting electrolyte membrane and in covering relation over the respective anode and/or cathode electrode; and applying a force of at least about 400 pounds to about 10,000 pounds per square inch to the first diffusion layer to affix the first diffusion layer on the ion conducting electrolyte membrane to form a resulting membrane electrode diffusion assembly.
  • another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of forming a membrane electrode diffusion assembly for use in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell, and which includes, first, providing an ion conducting electrolyte membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides; second, providing anode and cathode electrodes which are individually affixed on and located at least in partial covering relation relative to the respective anode and cathode sides of the electrolyte membrane; third, providing a first diffusion layer comprising carbon and a fluropolymer, and then heating the first diffusion layer to a temperature of about 100 degrees C to about 500 degrees C for a predetermined period of time in an oxygen-containing environment; fourth, affixing the previously heated first diffusion layer in at least partial covering relation relative to each of the anode and cathode electrodes by the application of pressure in the amount of about 400 pounds to about 10,000 pounds per square inch of surface area of the first diffusion layer; providing a permeable substrate having a predetermined thickness dimension and opposite sides; preparing a
  • Fig. 1 is a greatly enlarged, diagrammatic section of a membrane electrode diffusion assembly shown at one processing step in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged, diagrammatic section of a membrane electrode diffusion assembly shown at a processing step subsequent to that shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged, diagrammatic section of a membrane electrode diffusion assembly shown at a processing step subsequent to that shown in Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged, diagrammatic section of a portion of a membrane electrode diffusion assembly at one processing step in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged, diagrammatic section of a portion of a membrane electrode diffusion assembly shown at a processing step subsequent to that shown in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged, diagrammatic section of a membrane electrode diffusion assembly at a processing step subsequent to that shown in Fig. 5.
  • ion conducting electrolyte membrane having opposite sides 11 and 12 is shown.
  • the term "ion conducting electrolyte membrane” is defined as a proton or anion conducting membrane either alone, or in combination with other materials.
  • side 1 1 is the anode side
  • side 12 is designated as the cathode side.
  • a suitable proton-conducting membrane may be purchased from the W.L. Gore Company under the trade designation Primea 6000 series. Of course any membrane which allows for the movement of protons or anions across the membrane interface may be potentially suitable for use.
  • the ion conducting electrolyte membrane is shown at a second step in the method wherein individual anode and cathode electrodes designated by the numerals 20 and 30 are affixed on the opposite anode and cathode sides 1 1 and 12, respectively, thereby placing them in ionic contact with the underlying ion conducting electrolyte membrane 10.
  • the anode and cathode electrodes are located at least in partial covering relation relative to the respective anode and cathode sides 11 and 12 of the electrolyte membrane.
  • the anode and cathode electrodes are provided before any of the following steps are conducted. Referring now to Fig.
  • the method further includes providing a first diffusion layer 40 which comprises carbon and a fluropolymer.
  • This first diffusion layer is first heated to a temperature of about 100 degrees C to about 500 degrees C in an oxygen-containing environment such as air for a predetermined period of time which lies in a range of about 1 second to about 2 minutes.
  • the first diffusion layer is positioned at least in partial covering relation relative to each of the anode and cathode electrodes 20 and 30 and is affixed thereto by the application of pressure in the amount of about 400 pounds to about 10,000 pounds per square inch of surface area of the first diffusion layer.
  • the carbon portion of the first diffusion layer 40 is selected from the group consisting essentially of carbon cloth, carbon paper or carbon sponge or a suitable equivalent.
  • the fluropolymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of perfluorinated hydrocarbons or suitable equivalents. The resulting combination of these two materials results in a first diffusion layer 40 which is rendered substantially hydrophobic.
  • first diffusion layer 40 may be attached first to the anode, or alternatively to the cathode electrode, or further may be attached simultaneously to both the anode and cathode electrodes by the application of a force of about 400 pounds to about 10,000 pounds per square inch.
  • a porous substrate 50 is provided and which is selected from the group consisting essentially of carbon cloth, carbon paper or carbon sponge or a suitable equivalent.
  • the porous substrate 50 has a thickness of about 0.2 mm to about 2.0 mm.
  • a slurry is later prepared and which comprises at least about 20% to about 90% by weight of a particulate carbon and a hydrophobic binding resin dispersed in a water solution which may contain a small amount of a surfactant such as an alcohol.
  • the slurry 60 is applied to coat one of the sides of the permeable substrate 50.
  • an air drying step is conducted to evaporate the water and any surfactant, and thereby deposit the particulate carbon and hydrophobic resin on the coated side.
  • additional coats of the slurry 60 are applied, each separated by the aforementioned air drying step to form a second diffusion layer 70 (Fig. 5) having a resulting hydrophobic gradient.
  • the second diffusion layer 70 is positioned in juxtaposed covering relation relative to the first diffusion layer 40 and affixed thereto to form a resulting membrane electrode diffusion assembly 100.
  • the hydrophobic binding resin selected for use in the second diffusion layer can be selected from the group including perfluorinated hydrocarbons.
  • the method of the present invention includes providing an ion conducting electrolyte membrane 10 having opposite anode and cathode sides 1 1 and 12, respectively.
  • the method further includes, third, providing a first diffusion layer 40 comprising carbon and a fluropolymer and then heating the first diffusion layer to a temperature of about 100 degrees C to about 500 degrees C for a predetermined period of time in an oxygen-containing environment such as air. Following the heating of the first diffusion layer, affixing the previously heated first diffusion layer in at least partial covering relation relative to the anode and cathode electrodes 20 and 30 by the application of pressure in the amount of about 400 pounds to about 10,000 pounds per square inch of surface are of the first diffusion layer. As seen in Fig. 4, the method of the present invention further includes, providing a permeable substrate 50 having a predetermined thickness dimension and opposite sides.
  • the method further includes preparing a slurry comprising at least 20% to about 90% by weight of a particular carbon and a hydrophobic binding resin dispersed in a water solution which may include a surfactant such as alcohol, and applying the slurry to coat one of the sides of the permeable substrate 50.
  • the method further includes a step of air drying the coated side of the porous substrate, and after the step of air drying the coated side, applying additional coats of the slurry, each separated by the aforementioned air drying step, to form a second diffusion layer 70 (Fig. 5) having a resulting hydrophobic gradient.
  • the method further includes positioning the second diffusion layer in juxtaposed covering relation relative to the first diffusion layer 40. This forms a resulting membrane electrode diffusion assembly 100 for use in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de formation d'un ensemble de diffusion électrode-membrane à utiliser dans une pile à combustion dotée d'une membrane échangeuse d'ions, consistant à produire une membrane électrolyte (10) conductrice d'ions, présentant deux côtés opposés (11, 12), et à appliquer une première couche de diffusion (40) sur l'un des côtés opposés de la membrane par le biais de l'application d'une force suffisante pour fabriquer un ensemble de diffusion électrode-membrane résultant présentant une plage de température optimale inférieure à environ 95 °C lors de son utilisation dans une pile à combustion à membrane échangeuse d'ions.
PCT/US2001/014071 2001-02-23 2001-05-01 Procede de formation d'un ensemble de diffusion electrode-membrane a utiliser dans une pile a combustion dotee d'une membrane echangeuse d'ions WO2002069423A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/792,085 US6383556B2 (en) 2000-05-17 2001-02-23 Method for forming a membrane electrode diffusion assembly for use in an ion exchange membrane fuel cell
US09/792,085 2001-02-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002069423A1 true WO2002069423A1 (fr) 2002-09-06

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Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002069423A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5346780A (en) * 1991-11-25 1994-09-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fuel cell and method for producing an electrode used therefor
US5399184A (en) * 1992-05-01 1995-03-21 Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd. Method for fabricating gas diffusion electrode assembly for fuel cells
US5607785A (en) * 1995-10-11 1997-03-04 Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. Polymer electrolyte electrochemical cell and process of preparing same
EP0935304A1 (fr) * 1998-02-06 1999-08-11 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Pile à combustible à électrolyte polymèreet procédé de préparation
EP0955687A2 (fr) * 1998-05-04 1999-11-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Méthode de fabrication d'une suspension pour former une couche catalytique pour une pile à combustible à membrane échangeuse de protons
US6030718A (en) * 1997-11-20 2000-02-29 Avista Corporation Proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system
US6106965A (en) * 1996-03-29 2000-08-22 Mazda Motor Corporation Polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5346780A (en) * 1991-11-25 1994-09-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fuel cell and method for producing an electrode used therefor
US5399184A (en) * 1992-05-01 1995-03-21 Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd. Method for fabricating gas diffusion electrode assembly for fuel cells
US5607785A (en) * 1995-10-11 1997-03-04 Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. Polymer electrolyte electrochemical cell and process of preparing same
US6106965A (en) * 1996-03-29 2000-08-22 Mazda Motor Corporation Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
US6030718A (en) * 1997-11-20 2000-02-29 Avista Corporation Proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system
EP0935304A1 (fr) * 1998-02-06 1999-08-11 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Pile à combustible à électrolyte polymèreet procédé de préparation
EP0955687A2 (fr) * 1998-05-04 1999-11-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Méthode de fabrication d'une suspension pour former une couche catalytique pour une pile à combustible à membrane échangeuse de protons

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