Cell module for fuel cell, method for forming cell module, and fuel cell

Abstract

A cell module for a fuel cell according to embodiments of the invention includes a hollow-core electrolyte membrane; two electrodes one of which is arranged on the inner face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane and the other of which is arranged on the outer face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane; and first collecting members that are connected to the respective two electrodes. At least one of the two electrodes includes nano-columnar bodies on which electrode catalysts are supported. The nano-columnar bodies are formed on at least one of the first collecting members corresponding to the at least one of the electrodes that includes the nano-columnar bodies. At least part of the nano-columnar bodies are oriented toward the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The forgoing and/or further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or corresponding portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and wherein:

FIG. 1 is the perspective view schematically showing a cell module according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is the cross-sectional view of the cell module according to the first embodiment of the invention, which is obtained when the cell module is cut by a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the cell module;

FIG. 3 is the enlarged view of the area A surrounded by the dot line in FIG. 1, showing the cross-section taken along line C-C in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is the view schematically showing a fuel cell formed by gathering the cell modules; and

FIG. 5 is the perspective view schematically showing a cell module according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A cell module for a fuel cell, comprising: a hollow-core electrolyte membrane;two electrodes one of which is arranged on an inner face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane and the other of which is arranged on an outer face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane; andcollecting members that are connected to the respective two electrodes, whereinat least one of the two electrodes includes nano-columnar bodies on which electrode catalysts are supported, the nano-columnar bodies are formed on at least one of the collecting members corresponding to the at least one of the electrodes that includes the nano-columnar bodies, and at least part of the nano-columnar bodies are oriented toward the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

2. The cell module according to claim 1, wherein each of the collecting members is formed of at least one conductive fiber, and the at least one conductive fiber is aligned in a longitudinal direction of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

3. The cell module according to claim 1, further comprising: another collecting member that is arranged on at least one of an inner side and an outer side of the electrolyte membrane with the at least one of the collecting members, on which the nano-columnar bodies are formed, interposed between the other collecting member and the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

4. The cell module according to claim 2, further comprising: another collecting member that is arranged on at least one of an inner side and an outer side of the electrolyte membrane with the at least one of the collecting members, on which the nano-columnar bodies are formed, interposed between the other collecting member and the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

5. The cell module according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the nano-columnar bodies is equal to or longer than 200 μm.

6. The cell module according to claim 1, wherein the nano-columnar bodies are oriented toward the face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane.

7. The cell module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode catalysts are made of platinum or an alloy of platinum and another metal.

8. The cell module according to claim 1, wherein a proton conducting substance is provided on a surface of each of the nano-columnar bodies.

9. The cell module according to claim 8, wherein a water-repellent material is further provided on the proton conducting substance.

10. The cell module according to claim 1, wherein a grain diameter of each of the electrode catalysts is equal to or less than an outer diameter of each of the nano-columnar bodies.

11. The cell module according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of the proton conducting substance is 1 μm to 70 μm.

12. A fuel cell, comprising: the cell module according to claim 1.

13. A method for forming a cell module for a fuel cell, comprising: fixing a first collecting member, on which nano-columnar bodies are formed, onto an outer face of a first hollow-core conductor;causing electrode catalysts to be supported on the nano-columnar bodies formed on the outer face of the first collecting member;forming a hollow-core electrolyte membrane by applying an electrolyte onto the first collecting member after the electrode catalysts are caused to be supported on the nano-columnar bodies formed on the first collecting member;fixing a second collecting member, on which nano-columnar bodies are formed, onto an outer face of the hollow-core electrolyte membrane;causing electrode catalysts to be supported on the nano-columnar bodies formed on the second collecting member; andfixing a second hollow-core conductor onto the second collecting member after the electrode catalysts are caused to be supported on the nano-columnar bodies formed on the second collecting member.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first collecting member and the second collecting member are fixed onto the first hollow-core conductor and the second hollow-core conductor, respectively, by means of fusion bonding or an adhesive agent.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first collecting member and the second collecting member are fixed onto the first hollow-core conductor and the second hollow-core conductor, respectively, by means of coating.