Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit
First Claim
1. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit, comprising:
- (a) a polymer electrolyte membrane;
(b) a pair of gas-diffusible electrodes fixed at opposing surfaces of said polymer electrolyte membrane;
(c) a pair of gas-diffusible, porous, conductive graphite collectors fixed in contact with the outer sides of said electrodes;
(d) a pair of metal separators for introducing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to said electrodes separately from one another; and
(e) a porous conductive buffer layer provided between said metal separator and said graphite collector and having flexibility and air permeability.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low-cost solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit including a metal separator is provided. The cell unit has a structure that may have high corrosion resistance and durability. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas-diffusible electrodes fixed at opposing surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas-diffusible porous conductive graphite collectors fixed in contact with the outer sides of the electrodes; a pair of aluminum separators for introducing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to the electrodes separately from one another, and porous conductive buffer layers provided between the separator and the graphite collector, and having flexibility and air permeability. The separator surfaces in contact with the buffer layers are each provided with a conductive coating having a thickness in the range from 0.01 μm to 20 μm.
10 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit, comprising:
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(a) a polymer electrolyte membrane;
(b) a pair of gas-diffusible electrodes fixed at opposing surfaces of said polymer electrolyte membrane;
(c) a pair of gas-diffusible, porous, conductive graphite collectors fixed in contact with the outer sides of said electrodes;
(d) a pair of metal separators for introducing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to said electrodes separately from one another; and
(e) a porous conductive buffer layer provided between said metal separator and said graphite collector and having flexibility and air permeability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit, comprising:
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(a) a polymer electrolyte membrane;
(b) a pair of gas-diffusible electrodes fixed at opposing surfaces of said polymer electrolyte membrane;
(c) a pair of gas-diffusible, porous members fixed in contact with the outer sides of said electrodes; and
(d) a pair of metal separators for introducing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to said electrodes separately from one another, at least said porous member in contact with said metal separator being provided with a conductive coating made of a corrosion-resistant metal, a conductive resin, or a conductive ceramic. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification