Direct methanol fuel cell module

Abstract

The application relates to a direct methanol fuel cell module, which comprises an anode end plate, a cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, the side of the anode end plate facing the cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel groove, the cell array comprises a substrate and a plurality of cell units, the substrate is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, each cell unit comprises an anode current collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode current collector arranged in sequence, each membrane electrode is embedded in a mounting through hole in a corresponding mode, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, a conductor is arranged in the first circuit through hole, and the two ends of the conductor are connected with the anode current collector and the cathode current collector of different cell units respectively, so that the plurality of cell units are connected in series. The application realizes the series connection between the cell units and is easy to integrate, and the applicability of the direct methanol fuel cell in the field of portable electronic devices is effectively improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a direct methanol fuel cell module. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous thinning and increasing power consumption demand of portable electronic devices, traditional large-size batteries have been unable to meet the demand. A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a device that can directly convert chemical energy into electrical energy by consuming only methanol and oxygen. By using microfabrication technology, the volume of each key part of the direct methanol fuel cell can be reduced to make it small, thereby forming a micro direct methanol fuel cell. The micro direct methanol fuel cell has a small volume and a high energy density, and is expected to be applied to portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, palmtop computers and wearable devices.

[0003] In actual application, the single cells of the direct methanol fuel cell need to be connected in series to improve the output voltage of the battery. However, considering the electrical connection between multiple battery single cells and the fuel supply of the anode of the battery, it is difficult to connect the battery single cells in series, especially the micro direct methanol fuel cell with reduced feature size. At the same time, due to the limitations of space and structure in actual application, the integration of the existing direct methanol fuel cell is still low. The above two aspects limit the application of the direct methanol fuel cell in the field of portable electronic devices. SUMMARY

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a direct methanol fuel cell module, which can realize the series connection between the fuel cell single cells and is easy to integrate, thereby effectively improving the applicability of the direct methanol fuel cell in the field of portable electronic devices.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a direct methanol fuel cell module, which includes an anode end plate, a battery single cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence. The side of the anode end plate facing the battery single cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel groove. The battery single cell array includes a substrate and a plurality of battery single cells. The substrate is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes. Each battery single cell includes an anode current collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode current collector arranged in sequence. Each membrane electrode is embedded in a mounting through hole, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate. A conductive body is arranged in the first circuit through hole. The two ends of the conductive body are connected to the anode current collector and the cathode current collector of different battery single cells, so as to connect the plurality of battery single cells in series.

[0006] The anode current collector is provided with a second line through hole, the cathode current collector is provided with a third line through hole, two ends of the first line through hole are communicated with the second line through hole and the third line through hole respectively, and the second line through hole and the third line through hole form the conductive body.

[0007] The conductive body is a viscous conductive material filled in the first line through hole, the second line through hole and the third line through hole.

[0008] The plurality of first line through holes and the plurality of mounting through holes are alternately arranged along a series direction between the battery monomers, and the series direction between the battery monomers is consistent with the trend of the fuel flow channel groove.

[0009] The fuel flow channel groove is integrally formed with the anode end plate.

[0010] The anode end plate is provided with a liquid injection channel and a liquid outlet channel, the liquid injection channel is communicated with a side surface of the anode end plate and a starting end of the fuel flow channel groove, and the liquid outlet channel is communicated with the side surface of the anode end plate and an ending end of the fuel flow channel groove.

[0011] The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are net-shaped current collectors.

[0012] The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are stainless steel nets, the substrate is a silicon plate with a silicon oxide layer on the surface, the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are polydimethylsiloxane end plates, and the cathode end plate is provided with oxygen inlets corresponding to each cathode current collector.

[0013] The anode current collector of one of the plurality of battery monomers and the cathode current collector of another of the plurality of battery monomers are provided with lead-out ends, and the lead-out ends exceed edges of the cathode end plate and the anode end plate.

[0014] The membrane electrode is fixed in the mounting through hole by a waterproof adhesive, and the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are fixed on both sides of the array of battery monomers by a waterproof adhesive.

[0015] The direct methanol fuel cell module of the present application comprises an anode end plate, a cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, the side of the anode end plate facing the cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel groove, the cell array comprises a substrate and a plurality of cells, the substrate is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, each cell comprises an anode current collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode current collector arranged in sequence, each membrane electrode is embedded in a mounting through hole, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, a conductive body is arranged in the first circuit through hole, and the two ends of the conductive body are connected to the anode current collector and the cathode current collector of different cells respectively, so that the plurality of cells are connected in series. The cell array of the present application comprises a substrate and a plurality of cells, the substrate is provided with a plurality of through holes for mounting and electrically connecting the cells, the anode side of the membrane electrode of the cell faces the anode end plate, and the fuel flow channel groove is arranged on the anode end plate, so that the series connection between the fuel cell modules can be realized and the integration is easy, and the applicability of the direct methanol fuel cell in the field of portable electronic devices is effectively improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a disassembled structural schematic diagram of a direct methanol fuel cell module according to an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a disassembled structural schematic diagram of a direct methanol fuel cell module according to an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a front view of an anode end plate;

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is a front view of a substrate;

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 1 is a front view of an anode current collector with a second circuit through hole;

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 1 is a front view of an anode current collector with a first lead-out end;

[0022] Figure 7 is Figure 1 is a front view of a cathode end plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The embodiments of the present application are described below by specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in the specification.

[0024] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present application. It is understood that other embodiments can be utilized and mechanical, structural, electrical, and operational changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, as the scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims. In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage drive 820, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 810, and signals. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system 800. The computer-readable medium can also be, for example, but is not limited to, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, and / or other storage media. The present application can be implemented as a method, apparatus, and / or using computer software that are

[0025] Although the terms first, second, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0026] Also, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, and / or groups but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the terms "or" and "and / or" are to be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., as meaning one or more of the stated items is present. Therefore, "A, B or C" or "A, B and / or C" means any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

[0027] Figure 1 is an exploded structural schematic view of a direct methanol fuel cell module according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is Figure 1 is an assembled structural schematic view of a direct methanol fuel cell module. As Figure 1 With Figure 2 As shown, the direct methanol fuel cell module of the present embodiment includes an anode end plate 1, a cell array 3, and a cathode end plate 2 arranged in this order.

[0028] In combination Figure 1 With Figure 3The side of the anode end plate 1 facing the battery cell array 3 is provided with a fuel flow channel 11, which is integrally formed with the anode end plate 1 in this embodiment. The fuel flow channel 11 includes a plurality of transverse flow channels and a plurality of longitudinal flow channels, which are arranged alternately and connected in sequence. The depth of the fuel flow channel 11 is preferably 0.5 mm. The anode end plate 1 can be made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Specifically, SINWE Xiwai 909 AB transparent material is prepared, and AB groups with a mass ratio of 10:1 are mixed and poured into a mold with a cavity depth of 5 mm, a length of 50 mm, and a width of 36 mm. The mold bottom is provided with a fuel flow channel protruding mold with a height of 0.5 mm. Then, the mixture is left to stand for 30 min, so that the fine bubbles in the mixture are suspended to the upper side, and then placed in a vacuum drying box for vacuum drying for 30 min until no bubbles are present. Then, the mixture is heated at 65°C under vacuum for 70-90 min to solidify and form the anode end plate 1 with a fuel flow channel 11 having a depth of 0.5 mm. The total amount of the AB group mixture is controlled to control the thickness of the anode end plate 1 to be 1 mm. Finally, a first opening 121 and a second opening 122 are formed on one side of the anode end plate 1 in the same direction, and a liquid injection channel 15 and a liquid outlet channel 16 are formed inside the anode end plate 1. The liquid injection channel 15 is connected to the first opening 121 and the beginning of the fuel flow channel 11, and the liquid outlet channel 16 is connected to the second opening 122 and the end of the fuel flow channel 11. Methanol solution enters the fuel flow channel 11 through the liquid injection channel 15.

[0029] The battery cell array 3 includes a substrate 31 and a plurality of battery cells arranged on the substrate 31. Each battery cell includes an anode current collector 321, a membrane electrode 322, and a cathode current collector 323 arranged in sequence.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The substrate 31 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 325 and a plurality of first circuit holes 326. In this embodiment, the substrate 31 is prepared by machining a silicon plate. The size of the silicon plate is, for example, 50 mm x 36 mm. Photolithography is performed on the silicon plate to form 12 circular holes with a diameter of 5 mm as mounting holes 325 and 11 circular holes with a diameter of 1 mm as first circuit holes 326. The arrangement of the battery cells can be adjusted as needed, and the shape of the holes can also be other shapes such as square, triangular, and oval. Then, a silicon oxide layer is formed on the surface of the silicon plate by oxidation to obtain the substrate 31, and the final thickness of the substrate 31 is equivalent to the thickness of the membrane electrode 322. The silicon oxide layer can serve as an insulating layer and reduce the internal resistance of the silicon plate. Using silicon processing technology, microstructure units can be effectively processed, which is beneficial to the fabrication and integration of on-chip micro fuel cells.

[0031] The membrane electrode 322 is composed of an anode diffusion layer, an anode catalytic layer, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode catalytic layer, and a cathode diffusion layer in sequence. Fuel and oxygen are introduced from the anode side and the cathode side respectively. The fuel reacts in the anode catalytic layer to release electrons. The electrons are first collected at the anode side and then conducted to the cathode side through an external circuit to form an electric current. The anode current collector 321 is arranged at the anode side of the membrane electrode 322, and the cathode current collector 323 is arranged at the cathode side of the membrane electrode 322, for collecting and conducting electrons. In the embodiment, the anode current collector 321 and the cathode current collector 323 are mesh current collectors, preferably stainless steel meshes, so that the fuel can be uniformly mass transferred, the contact resistance can be reduced, and the current collection effect can be improved.

[0032] Each membrane electrode 322 is embedded in a mounting through hole 325 in the substrate 31, and the anode side of the membrane electrode 322 faces the anode end plate 1. In this way, the fuel flow channel 11 on the anode end plate 1 can simultaneously provide fuel to the anode sides of multiple membrane electrodes 322 to occur oxidation reaction. A conductive body (not shown in the figure) is arranged in the first line through hole 326. The two ends of the conductive body are respectively connected to the anode current collector 321 and the cathode current collector 323 of two adjacent battery monomers in the series direction, so as to sequentially connect multiple battery monomers in series and improve the voltage of the battery module. The conductive body can be a viscous conductive material filled in the first line through hole 326, including but not limited to conductive silver paste.

[0033] In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the fuel flow channel 11 is arranged on the anode end plate 1, and the fuel flow channel 11 is arranged on the cathode end plate 2. Figure 5As shown, one side of the anode current collector 321 has an extension 320, and the extension 320 is provided with a second wire through hole 329. The cathode current collector 323 has the same structure as the anode current collector 321, and one side of the cathode current collector 323 has an extension, and the extension is provided with a third wire through hole. When assembling the battery monomer, first embed and fix the membrane electrode 322 in the mounting through hole 325 on the substrate 31, and then place the anode current collector 321 of one of the two battery monomers in series in the adjacent direction and the cathode current collector 323 of the other on both sides of the substrate 31, and then turn the extensions on the two current collectors to both sides of the same first wire through hole 326, so that the first wire through hole 326, the second wire through hole 329 on the anode current collector 321 and the third wire through hole on the cathode current collector 323 are aligned, and then inject conductive silver paste into the through hole, so that the conductive silver paste continuously fills the first wire through hole 326, the second wire through hole 329 and the third wire through hole, thereby realizing the connection between the anode current collector 321 and the cathode current collector 323 of the two battery monomers in series in the adjacent direction, and then the battery monomers are connected in series, and the anode current collector 321 and the cathode current collector 323 can be fixed on the substrate 31 by using the viscosity of the conductive silver paste. In this way, the assembly process of all battery monomers can be completed, and the battery monomer array 3 with a patch type structure is obtained, the assembly process is simple, and the integration degree is high. By using the characteristics of high viscosity and strong conductivity of the conductive silver paste, the anode current collector 321, the membrane electrode 322 and the cathode current collector 323 can be in close contact to reduce the contact resistance, and at the same time, the series connection effect is achieved, the voltage of the battery module is improved, and the theoretical voltage can reach 6v-8v. It can be understood that in order to realize the electrical connection, the second wire through hole 329 and the third wire through hole can also not be respectively arranged on the anode current collector 321 and the cathode current collector 323, for example, the extensions on the anode current collector 321 and the cathode current collector 323 can be flat or only provided with blind holes, so that the conductive silver paste can also conduct the current collectors on both sides through the first wire through hole 326.

[0034] Please combine Figure 1 and Figure 6 , among the plurality of battery monomers, the anode current collector 321 of one battery monomer is provided with a first lead-out end 327, and the first lead-out end 327 is an extension formed on one side of the anode current collector 321. Correspondingly, the cathode current collector 323 of another battery monomer in the plurality of battery monomers is provided with a second lead-out end 328, and the second lead-out end 328 is an extension formed on one side of the cathode current collector 323. In this embodiment, the battery monomers are arranged in an array of 3 rows and 4 columns on the substrate 31, and are connected in series column by column in the transverse direction, for example, the anode current collector 321 of one battery monomer in each column is connected to the cathode current collector 323 of another battery monomer in the same column by the first lead-out end 327 and the second lead-out end 328. Figure 2The orientation is a reference, and the battery monomers in the same column are connected in turn. The battery monomer in the upper left corner is the starting point of the series connection. The battery monomer at the bottom of the first column on the left is connected to the battery monomer at the bottom of the second column on the left. The battery monomer at the top of the second column on the left is connected to the battery monomer at the top of the second column on the right. The battery monomer at the bottom of the second column on the right is connected to the battery monomer at the bottom of the first column on the right. The battery monomer at the top right corner is the end point of the series connection. Thus, all the battery monomers are connected in series. The anode current collector 321 of the battery monomer at the starting point of the series connection is provided with a first lead-out end 327. The cathode current collector 323 of the battery monomer at the end point of the series connection is provided with a second lead-out end 328. It can be understood that the starting point of the series connection and the end point of the series connection can be interchanged. As shown in Figure 2 The first lead-out end 327 and the second lead-out end 328 extend beyond the edges of the cathode end plate 2 and the anode end plate 1, and are used to connect with external equipment, for example, a test device can be externally connected to test the performance of the battery module.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 7 . The cathode end plate 2 is provided with oxygen inlets 21 corresponding to each cathode current collector 323, so as to provide oxygen to the cathode side of the membrane electrode 322 to generate a reduction reaction, ensuring the normal operation of each battery monomer and making the performance of the battery module stable. The anode end plate 1 can be prepared by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Specifically, SINWE Xiwei No. 909 AB group transparent material is prepared first. The AB group is mixed in a mass ratio of 10:1, and then poured into a mold with a cavity depth of 5 mm and a length and width of 50 mm x 36 mm. Then, the mixture is left to stand for 30 min, so that the fine bubbles in the mixture are suspended to the upper side, and then placed in a vacuum drying box for vacuum drying for 30 min until no bubbles are present. Then, the mixture is heated at a vacuum of 65°C for 70-90 min to solidify and form the mixture. By controlling the total amount of the AB group mixture, the thickness of the cathode end plate 2 can be controlled to be 0.5 mm. Finally, a 5 mm cone is used to chisel out a plurality of oxygen inlets 21 on the cathode end plate 2, which correspond to the positions of the mounting through holes 325 on the substrate 31.

[0036] The anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 2 are prepared by using PDMS material, which has low cost, is easy to prepare, and has a simple processing method. Not only does it reduce the weight of the battery module, but it also facilitates the manufacture of the battery sheet structure, making it easy to implement the sheet-shaped battery.

[0037] In this embodiment, the membrane electrode 322 is fixed in the mounting through hole 325 with a waterproof adhesive. When installing the membrane electrode 322, polyurethane adhesive is evenly applied to the inner wall of the mounting through hole 325, and then the membrane electrode 322 of the same size as the mounting through hole 325 is embedded, so that the membrane electrode 322 is cured in the mounting through hole 325, which plays a sealing role and prevents the methanol solution on the anode side from leaking to the cathode side of the membrane electrode 322, and can prevent short circuit inside the battery. The anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 2 are fixed to both sides of the battery cell array 3 with a waterproof adhesive. The substrate 31 covers the fuel flow channel groove 11 of the anode end plate 1, which can prevent methanol solution from leaking out. Multiple first line through holes 326 and multiple mounting through holes 325 are alternately arranged along the series direction between battery cells. The series direction between battery cells is consistent with the direction of the fuel flow channel groove 11. In this way, the extensions 320 of all anode collectors 321 can be placed in the projection area of ​​the fuel flow channel groove 11, which is beneficial to improving the sealing performance of the package.

[0038] The direct methanol fuel cell module of this application includes a positive end plate, a cell array, and a negative end plate arranged sequentially. The positive end plate has a fuel flow channel groove on the side facing the cell array. The cell array includes a substrate and multiple cell units. The substrate has multiple mounting through holes and multiple first-line through holes. Each cell unit includes an anode current collector, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and a cathode current collector arranged sequentially. Each MEA is embedded in a mounting through hole, with its anode side facing the positive end plate. A conductor is provided in the first-line through hole, and the two ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode and cathode current collectors of different cell units, so that multiple cell units are connected in series. The cell array of this application includes a substrate and multiple cell units. The substrate has multiple through holes for cell unit mounting and electrical connection. The anode side of the MEA of the cell unit faces the positive end plate, and a fuel flow channel groove is provided on the positive end plate. This allows for series connection between fuel cell units and easy integration, effectively improving the applicability of direct methanol fuel cells in the field of portable electronic devices.

[0039] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this application should still be covered by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A direct methanol fuel cell module, characterized by comprising: The application relates to a fuel cell, which comprises an anode end plate, a cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, a fuel flow channel is arranged on the side of the anode end plate facing the cell array, the cell array comprises a substrate and a plurality of cells, each cell comprises an anode current collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode current collector arranged in sequence, each membrane electrode is embedded in a mounting hole, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, a conductor is arranged in a first circuit hole, and the two ends of the conductor are connected with the anode current collector and the cathode current collector of different cells to connect the plurality of cells in series. The fuel flow channel and the anode end plate are integrally formed, the anode end plate is provided with a liquid injection channel and a liquid outlet channel, the liquid injection channel is connected with the side of the anode end plate and the starting end of the fuel flow channel, and the liquid outlet channel is connected with the side of the anode end plate and the ending end of the fuel flow channel. The cathode end plate is provided with an oxygen inlet corresponding to each cathode current collector.

2. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein The anode current collector is provided with a second circuit hole, the cathode current collector is provided with a third circuit hole, the two ends of the first circuit hole are connected with the second circuit hole and the third circuit hole, and the conductor is arranged in the second circuit hole and the third circuit hole.

3. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein The conductor is a viscous conductive material filled in the first circuit hole, the second circuit hole and the third circuit hole.

4. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The plurality of first circuit holes and the plurality of mounting holes are arranged alternately along the series direction between the cells, and the series direction between the cells is consistent with the direction of the fuel flow channel.

5. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are net-shaped current collectors.

6. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are stainless steel nets, the substrate is a silicon plate with a silicon oxide layer on the surface, and the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are polydimethylsiloxane end plates.

7. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein The anode current collector of one cell and the cathode current collector of another cell are provided with lead-out ends, and the lead-out ends exceed the edges of the cathode end plate and the anode end plate.

8. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein The membrane electrode is fixed in the mounting hole by a waterproof adhesive, and the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are fixed on the two sides of the cell array by a waterproof adhesive.

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