Fuel cell

Abstract

A fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer, a first electrode which is provided on one surface of the electrolyte layer and to which fuel is supplied, and a second electrode which is provided on the other surface of the electrolyte layer and to which an oxidant is supplied. The first electrode contains an additive having an oxidation-reduction potential which is higher than a potential of formation reaction for forming a proton from the fuel and which is lower than an oxidation potential of a component contained in the first electrode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle-mounted fuel cell system according Example 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the oxidation-reduction potential of the reactions occurring in a fuel cell according to Example 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a domestic-use fuel cell co-generation system according to Example 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the oxidation-reduction potential of the reactions occurring in a fuel cell according to Example 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a portable fuel cell system according to Example 3 of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the oxidation-reduction potential of the reactions occurring in a fuel cell according to Example 3 of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell, comprising: an electrolyte layer;a first electrode which is provided on one surface of the electrolyte layer and to which fuel is supplied; anda second electrode which is provided on the other surface of the electrolyte layer and to which an oxidant is supplied, whereinthe first electrode contains an additive having an oxidation-reduction potential which is higher than a potential of formation reaction for forming a proton from the fuel and which is lower than an oxidation potential of a component contained in the first electrode.

2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the component is one of carbon and ruthenium.

3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the additive is a metal oxide having electrical conductivity.

4. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the additive is a metal oxide having electrical conductivity.

5. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the additive is a metal oxide having acid resistance.

6. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the additive is a metal oxide having acid resistance.

7. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein the additive is a metal oxide having acid resistance.

8. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the additive is a metal oxide having acid resistance.

9. A fuel cell system comprising: the fuel cell according to claim 1;a fuel supply unit which supplies the fuel to the first electrode; andan oxidant supply unit which supplies the oxidant to the second electrode.

10. A fuel cell system comprising: the fuel cell according to claim 2;a fuel supply unit which supplies the fuel to the first electrode; andan oxidant supply unit which supplies the oxidant to the second electrode.