Proton conductor film, manufacturing method therefor, fuel cell provided with proton conductor film and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

A proton conductor and film thereof, electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell, employing same and methods of manufacturing same are provided. The proton conductor material film includes a proton conductor and polyvinyl alcohol as a binder for the proton conductor. The proton conductor film develops a high output by an electrode reaction and has superior hydrogen gas intercepting performance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 466,649 filed on Mar. 18, 2004, which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT / JP02 / 00251 filed on Jan. 16, 2002, and which claims priority to Japanese Patent Document Nos. P2001-010993 filed on Jan. 19, 2001; P2001-011114 filed on Jan. 19, 2001; and P2001-010987 filed on Jan. 19, 2001. The disclosures of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a proton conductor film, manufacturing method thereof, a fuel cell provided with the proton conductor film, and manufacturing method thereof. [0003] As a high molecular solid electrolyte type fuel cell for automobile driving, there has recently been known such a cell employing a proton (hydrogen ion) conducting high molecular or polymer material, such as perfluorosulfonic acid resin, e.g., a product manufactured...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a proton conductor that is low in temperature dependency, can be used in a wide temperature range, and is efficient in forming a thin film. The proton conductor is a fullerene derivative and polyvinyl alcohol mixture, which allows for easy formation of a thin film with high strength and gas impermeability. The proton conductor film is heated at a temperature of 150-2000C to improve its water-proofness and hydrogen gas intercepting performance. The invention also provides a fuel cell with the proton conductor and polyvinyl alcohol binder.

Problems solved by technology

With the above-described various proton conductors, a number of problems exist.

For example, the conventional proton conductor has a deficiency that its atmosphere dependency is high, such that moisture or steam needs to be supplied, and moreover the operating temperature is excessively high or of a narrow range.

In a system structure of for example a fuel cell, a humidifier or other various ancillary devices are required, thus possibly leading to an increased scale of the system and to increased cost in constructing the system.

Moreover, the operating temperature range is not that wide in order to prevent freezing or boiling of the moisture contained in the matrix.

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