Sheet silicate mineral and fuel cell including intercalation complex thereof as solid electrolyte membrane

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a solid proton exchange membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) for use in fabricating an inexpensive and efficient proton exchange fuel cell (PEFC) which enables direct use of an organic fuel without a reformer and use of hydrogen gas. In particular, the invention provides an electrochemical cell including a solid electrolyte membrane made of one or plural kinds of layered silicate minerals or the intercalation compounds. The layered silicate minerals can be easily fabricated into a solid electrolyte membrane which shows a 'molecular sieve effect' on the target fuel if the density and impregnated liquid contents are properly controlled. A composite membrane in which a catalyst is directly supported is also fabricated easily. Since the layered silicate mineral is an inorganic material, the fuel cell can be operated at high temperature. Thus, the catalyst can be selected from a wide range of candidate materials. The layered silicate minerals are abundant in nature and inexpensive. The use of the layered silicate mineral allows to fabricate an inexpensive direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and a realistic direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). Furthermore, an energy-efficient PEFC using hydrogen gas can also be produced therefrom.

Description

Technical field [0001] The invention relates to a solid cation exchange membrane and a membrane electrode assembly, which are used to produce a solid electrolyte fuel cell that can directly supply organic fuel without a conversion device. Background technique [0002] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 10-507572 [0003] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-516014 [0004] Non-Patent Document 1: "Fuel Cell Technology", edited by the Subcommittee for Technical Investigation of Next Generation Systems of Fuel Cell Power Generation (Japan Electrical Society), Ohm-sha, August 30, 2002, p.55-98 (Japanese). [0005] Non-Patent Document 2: "New Development of Electrode Catalyst Chemistry", edited by Yoshio Takas, AkikoAramata and Yoshio Hori, published by Hokkaido University Book Press, February 25, 2001, p.207-230, Chapter 9, "Electrocatalyst The New Development of Science" by Masayuki Morita (Japanese). [0006] Non-Patent Document 3: Journal of ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, if the temperature is increased, the polymer membrane will tend to degrade, and the phenomenon of methanol crossover will become severe, so the output power cannot be increased

Therefore, the development of heat-resistant and permeation-resistant membranes is a great challenge for DMFCs.

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