Test board for single electrode electrochemical testing in fuel cell operation

Abstract

The present invention discloses a test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing in a working state of a fuel cell, wherein a fuel chamber is formed in the middle of the front of the test plate, a fence structure is formed on the opening of the fuel chamber, an electrode plug hole for inserting a reference electrode is formed on one side of the test plate, the electrode plug hole is connected to the fuel chamber, and an insulating coating is formed on the inner surface of the electrode plug hole; a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet are also formed on the test plate, and the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are connected to the fuel chamber. The test plate of the present invention can be used to test the electrode potential of a single electrode of a fuel cell in a working state of the fuel cell, so as to accurately detect the performance parameters of the single electrode in the actual working state of the fuel cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrochemical testing tool, in particular to a testing board used for single-electrode electrochemical testing in a fuel cell working state. Background Art

[0002] As a zero-pollution, high-efficiency power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy, fuel cells have been increasingly used in many fields such as automobiles, distributed power stations, rockets, etc. They are the most promising ideal sustainable energy device to replace the combustion system energy in various current energy terminal devices.

[0003] The core power generation component of fuel cells is the membrane electrode (MEA), which consists of five layers: diffusion layer carbon paper on the anode side, anode catalyst, solid electrolyte membrane, cathode catalyst, and cathode carbon paper. The electrodes are made through GDE, CCM and other processes, and finally hot pressed together. The anode side is connected to the fuel, the cathode side is connected to oxygen or air, and an external circuit is added to realize the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. This conversion process involves complex electrochemical principles. The production process of each material or process has a great impact on the performance of the battery. If you want to improve battery performance, you must conduct basic research on the electrochemical principles and dynamics.

[0004] Under the current electrochemical detection system, the performance of catalysts is mainly evaluated by testing with a rotating disk electrode or a rotating ring disk electrode, or by preparing a membrane electrode MEA to conduct a discharge performance test.

[0005] The electrochemical test of membrane electrode is mainly evaluated by three-electrode system. The three-electrode system is mainly composed of working electrode, reference electrode and auxiliary electrode. The working electrode is also called research electrode or test electrode. By measuring the potential of the working electrode, the law of electrochemical reaction, adsorption and other interface reactions of the electrode can be obtained. Since there is no experimental or theoretical method to determine the absolute value of the potential of a single electrode, an electrode with a very stable potential can be used as a reference to measure the relative value of the electrode potential of any electrode. We call this reference electrode a reference electrode. When using, the reference electrode should be as close to the working electrode as possible to reduce the voltage drop of the fuel cell when current passes through. Experiments with different reference electrodes will obtain different electrode potentials. The auxiliary electrode is also called the counter electrode. Its function is to pass current to achieve polarization of the working electrode. The auxiliary electrode cannot affect the working electrode. Its surface area should be larger than that of the working electrode.

[0006] For fuel cells, the normal three-electrode detection method can only test the superposition of the performance of the membrane electrode and the cathode. However, when the fuel cell is working, there is no way to detect the electrode potential, active area and other parameters of the single electrode, which hinders the search for methods to improve performance; when the membrane electrode has performance problems, it is impossible to distinguish whether it occurs in the cathode or the anode. This has caused unnecessary trouble and a lot of unnecessary work for subsequent research. Summary of the invention

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing under the working state of the fuel cell, which is convenient for testing the electrode potential of a single electrode of the fuel cell under the working state of the fuel cell, so as to accurately detect the performance parameters of the single electrode under the actual working state of the fuel cell.

[0008] The technical solution of the present invention is achieved in this way:

[0009] A test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing in a fuel cell working state, a fuel chamber is formed in the middle of the front side of the test plate, a fence structure is formed on the opening of the fuel chamber, an electrode socket for inserting a reference electrode is formed on one side of the test plate, the electrode socket is connected to the fuel chamber, and an insulating coating is formed on the inner surface of the electrode socket; a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet are also formed on the test plate, and the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are connected to the fuel chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the test plate is rectangular, square or circular.

[0011] Furthermore, the test plate is made of graphite or metal.

[0012] Furthermore, the electrode insertion hole is divided into two sections, the inner diameter of the section away from the fuel chamber is larger than the inner diameter of the section close to the fuel chamber, and the two sections are connected by a slope.

[0013] Furthermore, the material of the insulating coating is a polymer with soft properties.

[0014] Furthermore, the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are located on opposite sides of the test plate, and the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are located on different sides from the electrode socket, a height difference is formed between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet, and the fuel outlet is close to the electrode socket.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner sides of the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are threaded.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention proposes a test plate for electrochemical testing of a single electrode under the working state of a fuel cell. By forming a fuel chamber in the middle of the front of the test plate and forming an electrode jack on one side of the test plate, a reference electrode can be inserted into the electrode jack to measure the electrode potential of a single electrode of the fuel cell under the working state of the fuel cell, thereby accurately detecting the performance parameters of a single electrode under the actual working state of the fuel cell. Compared with the prior art, the present invention solves the problem that a fuel cell can only test the performance parameters of the fuel cell (membrane electrode) under the overall working state, but cannot test the performance parameters of a single electrode under the working state. The present invention is applicable to the detection of all fuel cells whose fuels are in liquid state. At the same time, fuel cells that can realize liquid operation are also within the scope of application of the present test plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in operation according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a front view of a test plate used for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in a working state of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a left view of the test plate of the present invention used for single-electrode electrochemical testing in the working state of a fuel cell;

[0020] Figure 4 A top view of a test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in operation according to the present invention;

[0021] Combined with the accompanying drawings, the following description is given:

[0022] 1- fuel chamber, 2- fence structure, 3- electrode socket, 4- insulation coating, 5- fuel inlet, 6- fuel outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to describe the present invention more clearly and facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings through specific implementation methods. However, the following embodiments are only simple examples of the invention of the present invention and do not represent or limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the claims.

[0024] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a test board for single-electrode electrochemical testing in the working state of a fuel cell is formed with a fuel chamber 1 in the middle of the front of the test board, a fence structure 2 is formed on the opening of the fuel chamber, an electrode plug hole 3 for inserting a reference electrode is formed on one side of the test board, the electrode plug hole is connected to the fuel chamber, and an insulating coating 4 is formed on the inner surface of the electrode plug hole; a fuel inlet 5 and a fuel outlet 6 are also formed on the test board, and the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are connected to the fuel chamber. In this way, by forming a fuel chamber in the middle of the front of the test board and forming a fence structure on the opening of the fuel chamber, it can be used for testing a fuel cell, and by forming an electrode plug hole on one side of the test board, a reference electrode can be inserted into the electrode plug hole to measure the electrode potential of a single electrode of the fuel cell in the working state of the fuel cell, so that the performance parameters of the single electrode in the actual working state of the fuel cell can be accurately detected. Compared with the prior art, the present invention solves the problem that a fuel cell can only test the performance parameters of the fuel cell (membrane electrode) in the overall working state, but cannot test the performance parameters of a single electrode in the working state. The present invention is applicable to the detection of all fuel cells whose fuel is in liquid state. Meanwhile, fuel cells that can realize liquid state operation are also within the applicable scope of the test board.

[0025] In the above structure, the fence structure is used to support the membrane electrode to be tested. For example, the fence structure is a plurality of parallel and spaced railings, which protrude into the fuel chamber to make the surface of the test plate smooth and flat. In this way, the fence structure can clamp the membrane electrode together with another test plate, so that the fuel can enter the membrane electrode through the fence structure.

[0026] In the above structure, the insulating coating in the electrode socket is used to prevent the reference electrode from being directly connected to the test board body to affect the measurement. At the same time, it can clamp the reference electrode to prevent the fuel in the fuel chamber from overflowing from the electrode socket.

[0027] Preferably, the test plate is rectangular, square or circular, but is not limited thereto, and may be other regular or irregular shapes.

[0028] Preferably, the test board is made of graphite or metal, but not limited thereto, the test board may also be made of other conductive materials that can be processed into a fixed shape.

[0029] Preferably, the test plate is a square graphite plate.

[0030] Preferably, the electrode jack is divided into two sections, the inner diameter of the section away from the fuel chamber is larger than the inner diameter of the section close to the fuel chamber, and the two sections are connected by a slope. The electrode jack is connected to the fuel chamber of the test plate, so that the reference electrode can be inserted from the outside of the test plate into the fuel chamber inside the test plate. The jack is divided into two sections, for example, the length of the section away from the fuel chamber accounts for 2 / 3 of the total length, and the length of the section close to the fuel chamber accounts for 1 / 3 of the total length. At the same time, the inner diameter of the section away from the fuel chamber is designed to be larger than the inner diameter of the section close to the fuel chamber, and a certain slope is formed between the two sections, which can control the insertion depth of the reference electrode and can also clamp the reference electrode.

[0031] Preferably, the material of the insulating coating is a polymer with soft properties. For example, the material may be rubber. Since the insulating coating has a soft property, it can play a certain role in sealing and insulation.

[0032] As a preferred embodiment, the test plate is square, the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are located on opposite sides of the test plate, such as on the left and right sides, and the electrode socket is located on the upper side or the lower side. In this way, the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are located on different sides from the electrode socket, which is convenient for testing operations. A height difference is formed between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet, and the fuel outlet is close to the electrode socket.

[0033] Preferably, the inner sides of the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are provided with threads. In this way, the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet can be quickly connected to the device of the stored fuel through a joint.

[0034] When the test plate of the present invention is used to perform single-electrode electrochemical testing under the working state of a fuel cell, the membrane electrode is clamped between two test plates, an insulating pad is arranged around the membrane electrode to prevent the direct contact between the cathode and cathode, and the reference electrode is inserted into the electrode jack of the test plate. Fuel is introduced into the fuel chamber of one test plate, and oxygen is introduced into the fuel chamber of the other test plate. The membrane electrode is in a normal working state, and the electrode potential of the single electrode (cathode or anode) of the membrane electrode can be measured under the working state of the fuel cell, so that the performance parameters of the single electrode under the actual working state of the fuel cell can be accurately detected. Further, in conjunction with an electrochemical workstation, a three-electrode system is established with a single electrode, so that the various performance tests of the single electrode under the working state of the fuel cell can be realized, which is beneficial to the comprehensive performance evaluation of the electrode active material. At the same time, in conjunction with the existing three-electrode system testing method, the performance parameters of the cathode and anode single electrodes can be obtained at the same time.

[0035] The invention is easy to operate and maintain, and is suitable not only for experienced scientific researchers but also for beginners.

[0036] The above embodiments are detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications or changes to the above embodiments without departing from the essence of the present invention, which shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in operation, characterized in that: A fuel chamber (1) is formed in the middle of the front side of the test plate, a fence structure (2) is formed on the opening of the fuel chamber, an electrode insertion hole (3) for inserting a reference electrode is formed on one side of the test plate, the electrode insertion hole is connected to the fuel chamber, and an insulating coating (4) is formed on the inner surface of the electrode insertion hole; a fuel inlet (5) and a fuel outlet (6) are also formed on the test plate, and the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are connected to the fuel chamber.

2. The test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in working state according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test plate is rectangular, square or circular.

3. The test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in working state according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test plate is made of graphite or metal.

4. The test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in working state according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode insertion hole is divided into two sections, the inner diameter of the section away from the fuel chamber is larger than the inner diameter of the section close to the fuel chamber, and the two sections are connected by a slope.

5. The test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in working state according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the insulating coating is a polymer with soft properties.

6. The test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in working state according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are located on opposite sides of the test plate, and the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are located on different sides from the electrode socket. A height difference is formed between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet, and the fuel outlet is close to the electrode socket.

7. The test plate for single-electrode electrochemical testing of a fuel cell in working state according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner sides of the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet are threaded.

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