Electrochemical cell device

Abstract

An electrochemical cell device includes a cell having a first main face and a second main face that is an opposite face of the first main face, a first current collector having a third main face facing the first main face, and a second current collector having a fourth main face facing the second main face. The cell is convexly curved from the second main face toward the first main face. The third main face includes a concave portion at a position facing a central portion of the first main face. The fourth main face includes a convex portion at a position facing a central portion of the second main face. Each of the first current collector and the second current collector is constituted by at least one sheet of a metal porous body constituted by a metal porous body having a three-dimensional mesh structure. The central portion of the first main face includes a portion of the first main face having a largest distance from a reference plane when the cell is placed on the reference plane in such a manner that the second main face faces the reference plane. The central portion of the second main face includes a portion of the second main face having a largest distance from the reference plane when the cell is placed on the reference plane in such a manner that the second main face faces the reference plane.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell device. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application, i.e., Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-072919, filed on April 15, 2020. The entire disclosure of the Japanese Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND

[0002] A fuel cell is described in Patent Literature 1 (International Publication No. 2019 / 244480). The fuel cell described in Patent Literature 1 has a solid electrolyte layer, an anode and a cathode, and an anode-side current collector and a cathode-side current collector.

[0003] The anode and the cathode sandwich the solid electrolyte layer (hereinafter, the solid electrolyte layer sandwiched by the anode and the cathode is referred to as a “cell”). The anode-side current collector and the cathode-side current collector sandwich the cell. The anode-side current collector and the cathode-side current collector are composed of a metal porous body sheet composed of a metal porous body having a three-dimensional mesh structure.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 244480 SUMMARY

[0007] The electrochemical cell device of the present disclosure has a cell having a first main surface and a second main surface which is an opposite surface of the first main surface, a first current collector having a third main surface facing the first main surface, and a second current collector having a fourth main surface facing the second main surface. The cell is convexly curved from the second main surface toward the first main surface. The third main surface includes a concave portion at a position facing a central portion of the first main surface. The fourth main surface includes a convex portion at a position facing a central portion of the second main surface. Each of the first current collector and the second current collector is composed of at least one metal porous body sheet composed of a metal porous body having a three-dimensional mesh structure. The central portion of the first main surface includes a portion of the first main surface having a largest distance from a reference surface when the cell is disposed on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface which is flat. The central portion of the second main surface includes a portion of the second main surface having a largest distance from the reference surface when the cell is disposed on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface which is flat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell device 100.

[0009] Figure 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cell 10.

[0010] Figure 2 is a plan view of the battery 10.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a warped shape of the battery 10.

[0012] Figure 4 is a plan view of the current collector 20.

[0013] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view at V-V of Figure 4

[0014] Figure 6 is a plan view of the current collector 30.

[0015] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view at VII-VII of Figure 6

[0016] Figure 8 is a plan view of the current collector 20 of the electrochemical cell device 200.

[0017] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view at IX-IX of Figure 8

[0018] Figure 10 is a plan view of the current collector 30 of the electrochemical cell device 200.

[0019] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view at XI-XI of Figure 10

[0020] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the current collector 20 of the electrochemical cell device 300.

[0021] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the current collector 30 of the electrochemical cell device 300. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0023] In the fuel cell described in Patent Document 1, the battery sometimes warps. In the case where the battery warps, a gap (deterioration in contactability of the battery with the current collector) occurs between the battery and the anode-side current collector and between the battery and the cathode-side current collector.

[0024] The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell device capable of reducing a gap between a battery and a current collector.

[0025] [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] ​​​​According to the electrochemical cell device of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the gap between the cell and the current collector.

[0027] [Explanation of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0028] First, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained.

[0029] (1) An electrochemical cell device of an embodiment includes: a cell having a first main surface and a second main surface that is an opposite surface of the first main surface; a first current collector having a third main surface that faces the first main surface; and a second current collector having a fourth main surface that faces the second main surface. The cell is convexly curved from the second main surface toward the first main surface. The third main surface includes a recess at a position that faces a central portion of the first main surface. The fourth main surface includes a protrusion at a position that faces a central portion of the second main surface. Each of the first current collector and the second current collector is composed of at least one sheet of a metal porous body composed of a skeleton having a three-dimensional mesh structure. The central portion of the first main surface includes a portion of the first main surface that is farthest from a reference surface when the cell is disposed on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface, which is flat. The central portion of the second main surface includes a portion of the second main surface that is farthest from the reference surface when the cell is disposed on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface.

[0030] According to the electrochemical cell device of the above (1), it is possible to reduce the gap between the cell and the current collector.

[0031] (2) In the electrochemical cell device of the above (1), the at least one sheet of a metal porous body that constitutes the first current collector can be a first sheet of a metal porous body and a second sheet of a metal porous body. The first sheet of a metal porous body and the second sheet of a metal porous body can be arranged in a plane that is orthogonal to a thickness direction of the first current collector. In the second sheet of a metal porous body, a first through-hole that penetrates the second sheet of a metal porous body in the thickness direction can be formed at a position that corresponds to the recess. The first sheet of a metal porous body can be disposed in the first through-hole. The thickness of the second sheet of a metal porous body can be greater than the thickness of the first sheet of a metal porous body. The recess can be partitioned by an inner peripheral surface of the first through-hole and a main surface of the first sheet of a metal porous body.

[0032] According to the electrochemical cell device of the above (2), it is possible to reduce the gap between the cell and the current collector.

[0033] (3) In the electrochemical cell device of the above (2), a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the first sheet of a metal porous body from the thickness of the second sheet of a metal porous body can be equal to the amount of curvature of the cell.

[0034] According to the electrochemical cell device of the above (3), it is possible to further reduce the gap between the cell and the current collector.

[0035] (4) In the electrochemical cell device described in (1) above, the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector can be a first sheet of metal porous body and a second sheet of metal porous body. The first sheet of metal porous body and the second sheet of metal porous body can be arranged in superposition in the thickness direction of the first current collector in such a manner that the second sheet of metal porous body is on the side of the third principal surface. In the second sheet of metal porous body, a first through-hole that penetrates the second sheet of metal porous body in the thickness direction can be formed at a position corresponding to the recessed portion.

[0036] (5) In the electrochemical cell device described in (1) to (4) above, the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector can be a third sheet of metal porous body and a fourth sheet of metal porous body. The third sheet of metal porous body and the fourth sheet of metal porous body can be arranged in alignment in a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction of the second current collector. In the fourth sheet of metal porous body, a second through-hole that penetrates the fourth sheet of metal porous body in the thickness direction can be formed at a position corresponding to the protruding portion. The third sheet of metal porous body can be arranged in the second through-hole. The thickness of the third sheet of metal porous body can be greater than the thickness of the fourth sheet of metal porous body.

[0037] According to the electrochemical cell device described in (5) above, the gap between the cell and the current collector can be reduced.

[0038] (6) In the electrochemical cell device described in (1) to (4) above, the value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the fourth sheet of metal porous body from the thickness of the third sheet of metal porous body can be equal to the amount of warping of the cell.

[0039] According to the electrochemical cell device described in (6) above, the gap between the cell and the current collector can be further reduced.

[0040] (7) In the electrochemical cell device described in (1) to (4) above, the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector can be a third sheet of metal porous body and a fourth sheet of metal porous body. The third sheet of metal porous body and the fourth sheet of metal porous body can be arranged in superposition in the thickness direction of the second current collector in such a manner that the fourth sheet of metal porous body is on the side of the fourth principal surface. The fourth sheet of metal porous body can constitute the protruding portion.

[0041] According to the electrochemical cell device described in (7) above, the gap between the cell and the current collector can be reduced.

[0042] (8) In the electrochemical cell device described in (1) to (7) above, the first current collector can be a cathode-side current collector, and the second current collector can be an anode-side current collector.

[0043] According to the electrochemical cell device described in (8) above, the gap between the cell and the current collector can be reduced.

[0044] (9) In the electrochemical cell device described in the above (8), the skeleton of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector can contain nickel and cobalt. The weight per unit area of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector can be 900 g / m 2 Hereinafter.

[0045] According to the electrochemical cell device described in the above (9), the gap between the cell and the current collector can be reduced.

[0046] (10) In the electrochemical cell device described in the above (8), the skeleton of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector can contain nickel. The weight per unit area of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector can be 1000 g / m 2 Hereinafter.

[0047] (11) In the electrochemical cell device described in the above (1) to the above (10), the value obtained by dividing the amount of warping of the cell by the maximum width of the cell in plan view can be 1 / 1000 or more.

[0048] According to the electrochemical cell device described in the above (11), the gap between the cell and the current collector can be reduced even in the case where the cell is largely warped.

[0049] (12) The electrochemical cell device described in the above (1) to the above (11) can be a solid oxide type fuel cell.

[0050] According to the electrochemical cell device described in the above (12), the output voltage in the solid oxide type fuel cell can be improved as a result of the contact between the cell and the current collector being improved.

[0051] (13) The electrochemical cell device described in the above (1) to the above (11) can be a solid oxide type electrolytic cell.

[0052] According to the electrochemical cell device described in the above (13), the electrolytic voltage in the solid oxide type electrolytic cell can be reduced as a result of the contact between the cell and the current collector being improved.

[0053] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0054] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the same or equivalent portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will not be performed.

[0055] (First Embodiment)

[0056] Hereinafter, the structure of the electrochemical cell device (hereinafter, referred to as "electrochemical cell device 100") of the first embodiment will be described.

[0057] The electrochemical cell device 100 is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The electrochemical cell device 100 can also be a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), but the SOFC will be described below as an example of the electrochemical cell device 100.

[0058] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell device 100. In Figure 1A the configuration of a single cell included in the electrochemical cell device 100 is shown. The electrochemical cell device 100 is configured by layering a plurality of single cells. In addition, in Figure 1A in the drawing of the warping of the cell 10 and the recessed portion 20c and the protruded portion 30c described later is omitted. Figure 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cell 10. As Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, the electrochemical cell device 100 has the cell 10, the current collector 20 and the current collector 30, and the interconnector 40 and the interconnector 50.

[0059] The cell 10 has a main surface 10a and a main surface 10b. The main surface 10b is an opposite surface of the main surface 10a. The cell 10 has a solid electrolyte layer 11, a cathode 12, an anode 13, and an intermediate layer 14.

[0060] The solid electrolyte layer 11 is a layer formed of a solid electrolyte. For example, the solid electrolyte layer 11 is formed of an oxide of zirconium (Zr) doped with yttrium (Y) (YSZ). The cathode 12 is formed of, for example, LSC (an oxide of lanthanum (La) strontium (Sr) cobalt (Co)). The anode 13 is formed of, for example, a mixture of YSZ and an oxide of nickel (Ni2O). The intermediate layer 14 is formed of, for example, an oxide of cerium (Ce) doped with gadolinium (Gd) (GDC).

[0061] The cathode 12 constitutes the main surface 10a of the cell 10. The anode 13 constitutes the main surface 10b of the cell 10. The solid electrolyte layer 11 is disposed between the cathode 12 and the anode 13. The intermediate layer 14 is disposed between the solid electrolyte layer 11 and the cathode 12. The solid electrolyte layer 11 and the anode 13 are in contact with each other.

[0062] Figure 2 is a plan view of the cell 10. As Figure 2 shown, the cell 10 is circular in plan view. However, the planar shape of the cell 10 is not limited thereto. The cell 10 can also be rectangular in plan view.

[0063] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the warping shape of the cell 10. As Figure 3As shown, the battery 10 is warped. For example, the battery 10 is warped convexly from the main surface 10b side toward the main surface 10a side. The amount of warping of the battery 10 (hereinafter referred to as "warping amount WA") is, for example, 100 μm or more. The warping amount WA can also be 1000 μm or more.

[0064] The warpage WA is measured using the following method: First, the battery 10 is positioned on a flat reference surface. Second, the distance (hereinafter referred to as "distance L") between the position on the principal surface 10a furthest from the reference surface (hereinafter referred to as "vertex P") and the reference surface is measured using a Keyence LK-G35 micrometer. Vertex P is located at the center of the battery 10 (the center of principal surface 10a) when viewed from above. Third, the thickness of the battery 10 (hereinafter referred to as "thickness T") is subtracted from the distance L. The warpage WA is then measured.

[0065] Set the maximum width of battery 10 as viewed from above to be width W. max (Refer to Figure 2 Warp amount WA divided by width W max The resulting value is, for example, 1 / 1000 or higher. Warp amount WA divided by width W max The resulting value can also be greater than 1 / 100. Width W max When the planar shape of battery 10 is circular, the width W is equal to the diameter of that circle. When the planar shape of the battery is rectangular, the width W is... max It has the same length as the diagonal of the rectangle.

[0066] like Figure 1A As shown, current collector 20 is disposed on main surface 10a, and current collector 30 is disposed on main surface 10b. From another perspective, the battery 10 is sandwiched between current collector 20 and current collector 30. Current collector 20 is a cathode-side current collector, and current collector 30 is an anode-side current collector.

[0067] The current collector 20 has a main surface 20a and a main surface 20b. The main surface 20a faces the main surface 10a. The main surface 20b is the opposite surface of the main surface 20a. Figure 4 This is a top view of the current collector 20. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view at point VV. (e.g.) Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the main surface 20a has a recess 20c. The main surface 20a is recessed towards the main surface 20b at the recess 20c. The recess 20c is positioned opposite the central portion of the main surface 10a.

[0068] The current collector 20 is composed of a porous metal sheet 21 and a porous metal sheet 22. The porous metal sheet 21 and the porous metal sheet 22 are formed of a porous metal with a three-dimensional mesh structure.

[0069] The skeleton of the metal porous body constituting the metal porous sheet 21 and the metal porous sheet 22 contains, for example, nickel (Ni) and cobalt. The weight per unit area of the metal porous sheet 21 and the metal porous sheet 22 is preferably 900 g / m 2 The weight per unit area of the metal porous sheet 21 (the metal porous sheet 22) is a value obtained by dividing the weight of the metal porous sheet 21 (the metal porous sheet 22) by the area of the principal surface of the metal porous sheet 21 (the metal porous sheet 22).

[0070] The current collector 20 is circular in plan view. The metal porous sheet 21 is circular in plan view. The metal porous sheet 22 is annular in plan view. That is, the through-hole 22a that penetrates the metal porous sheet 22 in the thickness direction is formed in the metal porous sheet 22. The through-hole 22a is formed at a position corresponding to the recessed portion 20c.

[0071] The thickness of the metal porous sheet 22 (hereinafter, referred to as "thickness T2") is greater than the thickness of the metal porous sheet 21 (hereinafter, referred to as "thickness T1"). The metal porous sheet 21 and the metal porous sheet 22 are arranged (disposed without overlapping) in a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction of the current collector 20. The metal porous sheet 21 is disposed in the through-hole 22a. Thus, the recessed portion 20c is constituted by the metal porous sheet 21 and the through-hole 22a.

[0072] The current collector 30 has a principal surface 30a and a principal surface 30b. The principal surface 30a faces the principal surface 10b. The principal surface 30b is an opposite surface of the principal surface 30a. Figure 6 is a plan view of the current collector 30. Figure 7 is a sectional view of the current collector 30 taken along VII-VII of Figure 6 The principal surface 30a has a protruding portion 30c as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 The principal surface 30a protrudes toward the opposite side of the principal surface 30b at the protruding portion 30c. The protruding portion 30c is disposed at a position facing the central portion of the principal surface 10b.

[0073] The current collector 30 is constituted by a metal porous sheet 31 and a metal porous sheet 32. The metal porous sheet 31 and the metal porous sheet 32 are formed of a metal porous body having a skeleton with a three-dimensional mesh structure.

[0074] The skeleton of the metal porous body constituting the metal porous sheet 31 and the metal porous sheet 32 contains, for example, nickel. The weight per unit area of the metal porous sheet 31 and the metal porous sheet 32 is preferably 1000 g / m 2 The weight per unit area of the metal porous sheet 31 (the metal porous sheet 32) is a value obtained by dividing the weight of the metal porous sheet 31 (the metal porous sheet 32) by the area of the principal surface of the metal porous sheet 31 (the metal porous sheet 32).

[0075] The current collector 30 is circular when viewed from above. The porous metal sheet 31 is circular when viewed from above. The porous metal sheet 32 ​​is annular when viewed from above. That is, a through hole 32a is formed in the porous metal sheet 32, extending through the porous metal sheet 32 ​​in the thickness direction. The through hole 32a is formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 30c.

[0076] The thickness of the porous metal sheet 31 (hereinafter referred to as "thickness T3") is greater than the thickness of the porous metal sheet 32 ​​(hereinafter referred to as "thickness T4"). The porous metal sheets 31 and 32 are arranged (without overlapping) in a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction of the current collector 30. The porous metal sheet 31 is disposed within the through hole 32a. Therefore, the porous metal sheet 31 forms the protrusion 30c.

[0077] The value obtained by subtracting thickness T1 from thickness T2 is preferably equal to the warpage amount WA. The value obtained by subtracting thickness T4 from thickness T3 is preferably equal to the warpage amount WA. It should be noted that the case where the value obtained by subtracting thickness T1 from thickness T2 is in the range of 0.95 times to 1.05 times the warpage amount WA is included in "the value obtained by subtracting thickness T1 from thickness T2 is equal to the warpage amount WA", and the case where the value obtained by subtracting thickness T4 from thickness T3 is in the range of 0.95 times to 1.05 times the warpage amount WA is included in "the value obtained by subtracting thickness T4 from thickness T3 is equal to the warpage amount WA".

[0078] The porous metal sheet 22 can also be concentrically divided into multiple porous metal sheets. In this case, the porous metal sheets located on the outer edges are thicker. The porous metal sheet 32 ​​can also be concentrically divided into multiple porous metal sheets. In this case, the porous metal sheets located on the outer edges are thinner.

[0079] like Figure 1A As shown, interconnect 40 is disposed on main surface 20b, and interconnect 50 is disposed on main surface 30b. Alternatively, the battery 10, current collector 20, and current collector 30 are sandwiched between interconnect 40 and interconnect 50. A groove 41 is formed on the main surface of interconnect 40 on the side of current collector 20, and a groove 51 is formed on the main surface of interconnect 50 on the side of current collector 30. Interconnect 40 and interconnect 50 are made of conductive material.

[0080] The effects of the electrochemical battery device 100 will be explained below.

[0081] In the electrochemical cell device 100, since the cell 10 is convexly warped from the main face 10b toward the main face 10a, a gap is generated between the main face 10a and the main face 20a and between the main face 10b and the main face 30a in the case where the main face 20a and the main face 30a are flat. As a result, the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 20 and the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 30 increase, and the output voltage from the electrochemical cell device 100 decreases.

[0082] However, in the electrochemical cell device 100, since the main face 20a has the recessed portion 20c and the main face 30a has the convex portion 30c, the main face 20a easily follows the shape of the main face 10a and the main face 30a easily follows the shape of the main face 10b, and as a result, the gap between the main face 10a and the main face 20a and the gap between the main face 10b and the main face 30a decrease.

[0083] Therefore, according to the electrochemical cell device 100, the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 20 and the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 30 decrease, and the output voltage from the electrochemical cell device 100 can be improved.

[0084] Note that, in the case where the electrochemical cell device 100 is a SOEC, as a result of the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 20 and the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 30 decreasing, the electrolysis voltage in the electrochemical cell device 100 can be reduced.

[0085] The skeleton of the metal porous body of the metal porous body sheet 21 and the metal porous body sheet 22 contains nickel and cobalt, and the unit area weight of the metal porous body of the metal porous body sheet 21 and the metal porous body sheet 22 is 900 g / m 2 In the following case, the deformation ability of the metal porous body sheet 21 and the metal porous body sheet 22 can be ensured, and thus the main face 20a easily further follows the shape of the main face 10a.

[0086] The skeleton of the metal porous body of the metal porous body sheet 31 and the metal porous body sheet 32 contains nickel, and the unit area weight of the metal porous body of the metal porous body sheet 31 and the metal porous body sheet 32 is 900 g / m 2 In the following case, the deformation ability of the metal porous body sheet 31 and the metal porous body sheet 32 can be ensured, and thus the main face 30a easily further follows the shape of the main face 10b.

[0087] (Generation test)

[0088] Hereinafter, a generation test performed in order to confirm the effect of the electrochemical cell device 100 will be described.

[0089] <Sample>

[0090] The electrochemical cells of Sample 1 to Sample 6 were supplied for power generation test. In Sample 1 to Sample 6, the shapes of the cell 10, the current collector 20, and the current collector 30 were set as shown in Table 1. Note that although not shown in Table 1, in all of Sample 1 to Sample 6, the thickness and the diameter of the cell 10 were set to 0.4 mm and 100 mm, respectively.

[0091] [Table 1]

[0092]

[0093] As shown in Table 1, in Sample 1 and Sample 5, the warping amount WA was set to 100 pm. In Sample 2, the warping amount WA was set to 300 pm. In Sample 3 and Sample 6, the warping amount WA was set to 1000 pm. In Sample 4, the warping amount WA was set to 2000 pm.

[0094] In Sample 1, as the current collector 20, a metal porous body sheet 21 having a thickness of 400 pm and a metal porous body sheet 22 having a thickness of 500 pm were used, and as the current collector 30, a metal porous body sheet 31 having a thickness of 500 pm and a metal porous body sheet 32 having a thickness of 400 pm were used.

[0095] In Sample 2, as the current collector 20, a metal porous body sheet 21 having a thickness of 200 pm and a metal porous body sheet 22 having a thickness of 500 pm were used, and as the current collector 30, a metal porous body sheet 31 having a thickness of 500 pm and a metal porous body sheet 32 having a thickness of 200 pm were used.

[0096] In Sample 3, as the current collector 20, a metal porous body sheet 21 having a thickness of 100 pm and a metal porous body sheet 22 having a thickness of 1100 pm were used, and as the current collector 30, a metal porous body sheet 31 having a thickness of 1100 pm and a metal porous body sheet 32 having a thickness of 100 pm were used.

[0097] In Sample 4, as the current collector 20, a metal porous body sheet 21 having a thickness of 100 pm and a metal porous body sheet 22 having a thickness of 2100 pm were used, and as the current collector 30, a metal porous body sheet 31 having a thickness of 2100 pm and a metal porous body sheet 32 having a thickness of 100 pm were used.

[0098] In Sample 5, as the current collector 20, one metal porous body sheet having a thickness of 500 pm was used, and as the current collector 30, one metal porous body sheet having a thickness of 500 pm was used.

[0099] In sample 6, one sheet of metal porous body having a thickness of 1100 μm was used as the current collector 20, and one sheet of metal porous body having a thickness of 1100 μm was used as the current collector 30.

[0100] [Experimental results]

[0101] In Table 2, the initial value of the output voltage between the anode and the cathode when a current of 0.5 A / cm2was flown between the anode and the cathode at 750°C is shown. 2

[0102] [Table 2]

[0103] Table 2

[0104] Output voltage Sample 1 0.85V Sample 2 0.86V Sample 3 0.89V Sample 4 0.90V Sample 5 0.78V Sample 6 0.70V

[0105] As shown in Table 2, the output voltage of sample 1 was larger than the output voltage of sample 5. The output voltage of sample 3 was larger than the output voltage of sample 6.

[0106] From this comparison, it was experimentally confirmed that by the main surface 20a of the current collector 20 having the recess 20c and the main surface 30a of the current collector 30 having the protrusion 30c, the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 20 and the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 30 were reduced, and the output voltage from the electrochemical cell device 100 was increased.

[0107] The larger the warping amount WA, the more easily the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 20 and the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 30 occur, and on the other hand, the surface area of the battery 10 that contributes to the electrochemical reaction is increased.

[0108] The output voltage of sample 6 was smaller than the output voltage of sample 5. It is considered that this is because, since the warping amount WA in sample 6 was larger than the warping amount WA in sample 5, the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 20 and the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 30 were increased, and the contact resistance between the battery 10 and the current collector 20 and the contact resistance between the battery 10 and the current collector 30 were increased.

[0109] On the other hand, in samples 1 to 4, the larger the warping amount WA, the more the output voltage was increased. In all of samples 1 to 4, the value obtained by subtracting the thickness Tl from the thickness T2 and the value obtained by subtracting the thickness T4 from the thickness T3 were consistent with the warping amount WA.

[0110] ​Therefore, it is experimentally confirmed that, by increasing the warping amount WA while making the value obtained by subtracting the thickness Tl from the thickness T2 and the value obtained by subtracting the thickness T4 from the thickness T3 coincide with the warping amount WA, it is possible to increase the surface area of the battery 10 that functions in the electrochemical reaction while reducing the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 20 and the gap between the battery 10 and the current collector 30, in other words, it is possible to further increase the output voltage from the electrochemical cell device 100.

[0111] (Second Embodiment)

[0112] Hereinafter, the structure of the electrochemical cell device of the second embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as "electrochemical cell device 200") will be described. Here, points different from the structure of the electrochemical cell device 100 will be mainly described, and repeated descriptions will not be made.

[0113] The electrochemical cell device 200 has the battery 10, the current collector 20 and the current collector 30, and the interconnector 40 and the interconnector 50. The battery 10 is convexly warped from the main surface 10b toward the main surface 10a. The main surface 20a has the recess 20c, and the main surface 30a has the convex portion 30c. As to these points, the structure of the electrochemical cell device 200 is common to that of the electrochemical cell device 100.

[0114] Figure 8 is a plan view of the current collector 20 of the electrochemical cell device 200. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view at IX-IX of Figure 8 As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the electrochemical cell device 200, the current collector 20 has the metal porous body sheet 23 and the metal porous body sheet 24. The metal porous body sheet 23 is, for example, circular in plan view. The metal porous body sheet 24 is, for example, ring-shaped in plan view.

[0115] The through hole 24a that penetrates the metal porous body sheet 24 in the thickness direction is formed in the metal porous body sheet 24. The through hole 24a is disposed at a position corresponding to the recess 20c. The metal porous body sheet 23 and the metal porous body sheet 24 are disposed in the thickness direction of the current collector 20 so as to overlap each other. The metal porous body sheet 24 is disposed on the main surface 20a side. As a result, the recess 20c is constituted by the through hole 24a and the metal porous body sheet 23.

[0116] Figure 10 is a plan view of the current collector 30 of the electrochemical cell device 200. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view at XI-XI of Figure 10 As shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the current collector 30 has a metal porous body sheet 33 and a metal porous body sheet 34. The metal porous body sheet 33 and the metal porous body sheet 34 are, for example, circular in plan view. The diameter of the metal porous body sheet 33 is larger than the diameter of the metal porous body sheet 34.

[0117] The metal porous body sheet 33 and the metal porous body sheet 34 overlap in the thickness direction of the current collector 30. The metal porous body sheet 34 is disposed on the side of the main face 30a in correspondence with the position of the convex portion 30c. As a result, the convex portion 30c is constituted by the metal porous body sheet 34.

[0118] The effects of the electrochemical cell device 200 will be described below.

[0119] The electrochemical cell device 200 also, as with the electrochemical cell device 100, since the main face 20a has the concave portion 20c and the main face 30a has the convex portion 30c, the main face 20a easily follows the shape of the main face 10a and the main face 30a easily follows the shape of the main face 10b, and the gap between the main face 10a and the main face 20a and between the main face 10b and the main face 30a is reduced. As a result, according to the electrochemical cell device 200, the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 20 and the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 30 are reduced, and the output voltage from the electrochemical cell device 100 can be improved.

[0120] (Third Embodiment)

[0121] The structure of the electrochemical cell device (hereinafter, referred to as "electrochemical cell device 300") of the third embodiment will be described below. Here, points different from the structure of the electrochemical cell device 100 will be mainly described, and repeated descriptions will not be made.

[0122] The electrochemical cell device 300 has the cell 10, the current collector 20 and the current collector 30, and the interconnector 40 and the interconnector 50. The cell 10 is convexly warped from the main face 10b toward the main face 10a. The main face 20a has the concave portion 20c, and the main face 30a has the convex portion 30c. As to these points, the structure of the electrochemical cell device 300 is common to the structure of the electrochemical cell device 100.

[0123] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the current collector 20 of the electrochemical cell device 300. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the current collector 30 of the electrochemical cell device 300. As shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the current collector 20 and the current collector 30 are each constituted by one metal porous body sheet (metal porous body sheet 25 and metal porous body sheet 35).

[0124] Note that the recessed portion 20c of the current collector 20 (metal porous body sheet 25) and the convex portion 30c of the current collector 30 (metal porous body sheet 35) can be formed by, for example, press working.

[0125] Hereinafter, the effects of the electrochemical cell device 300 will be described.

[0126] Also with the electrochemical cell device 300, since the main surface 20a has the recessed portion 20c and the main surface 30a has the convex portion 30c, the main surface 20a easily follows the shape of the main surface 10a and the main surface 30a easily follows the shape of the main surface 10b, and the gap between the main surface 10a and the main surface 20a and the gap between the main surface 10b and the main surface 30a are reduced. As a result, according to the electrochemical cell device 300, the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 20 and the contact resistance value between the cell 10 and the current collector 30 are reduced, and the output voltage from the electrochemical cell device 100 can be improved.

[0127] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only and the scope of the present application is not limited thereto. The scope of the present application is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and is intended to encompass all modifications equivalent within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0128] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0129] 10 cell, 10a, 10b main surface, 11 solid electrolyte layer, 12 cathode, 13 anode, 14 intermediate layer, 20 current collector, 20a, 20b main surface, 20c recessed portion, 21 metal porous body sheet, 22 metal porous body sheet, 22a through hole, 23 metal porous body sheet, 24 metal porous body sheet, 24a through hole, 25 metal porous body sheet, 30 current collector, 30a main surface, 30b main surface, 30c convex portion, 31 metal porous body sheet, 32 metal porous body sheet, 32a through hole, 33, 34, 35 metal porous body sheet, 40 interconnector, 41 slot, 50 interconnector, 51 slot, 100, 200, 300 electrochemical cell device, L distance, P apex, T, T1, T2, T3, T4 thickness, WA amount of warping, W max width.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell device, comprising: a cell having a first main surface and a second main surface which is an opposite surface of the first main surface; a first current collector having a third main surface which faces the first main surface; and a second current collector having a fourth main surface which faces the second main surface, the cell is convexly curved from the second main surface toward the first main surface, the third main surface includes a recess at a position which faces a central portion of the first main surface, the fourth main surface includes a protrusion at a position which faces a central portion of the second main surface, each of the first current collector and the second current collector is composed of at least one sheet of a metal porous body which is composed of a metal porous body having a three-dimensional mesh structure, a central portion of the first main surface includes a portion of the first main surface which has a largest distance from a reference surface when the cell is arranged on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface, a central portion of the second main surface includes a portion of the second main surface which has a largest distance from the reference surface when the cell is arranged on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface, the at least one sheet of the metal porous body which constitutes the first current collector is a first sheet of a metal porous body and a second sheet of a metal porous body, the first sheet of the metal porous body and the second sheet of the metal porous body are arranged in a plane which is orthogonal to a thickness direction of the first current collector, in the second sheet of the metal porous body, a first through-hole which penetrates the second sheet of the metal porous body in a thickness direction is formed at a position which corresponds to the recess, the first sheet of the metal porous body is arranged in the first through-hole, a thickness of the second sheet of the metal porous body is larger than a thickness of the first sheet of the metal porous body, and the recess is divided by an inner peripheral surface of the first through-hole and a main surface of the first sheet of the metal porous body.

2. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1, wherein a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the first sheet of the metal porous body from the thickness of the second sheet of the metal porous body is equal to an amount of the cell which is curved.

3. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one sheet of the metal porous body which constitutes the second current collector is a third sheet of a metal porous body and a fourth sheet of a metal porous body, the third sheet of the metal porous body and the fourth sheet of the metal porous body are arranged in a plane which is orthogonal to a thickness direction of the second current collector, in the fourth sheet of the metal porous body, a second through-hole which penetrates the fourth sheet of the metal porous body in a thickness direction is formed at a position which corresponds to the protrusion, the third sheet of the metal porous body is arranged in the second through-hole, and a thickness of the third sheet of the metal porous body is larger than a thickness of the fourth sheet of the metal porous body.

4. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 3, wherein a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the fourth sheet of the metal porous body from the thickness of the third sheet of the metal porous body is equal to an amount of the cell which is curved.

5. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector is a third sheet of metal porous body and a fourth sheet of metal porous body, The third sheet of metal porous body and the fourth sheet of metal porous body are arranged in superposition in a thickness direction of the second current collector in such a manner that the fourth sheet of metal porous body is on the fourth main surface side, The fourth sheet of metal porous body constitutes the protrusion.

6. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, The first current collector is a cathode-side current collector, The second current collector is an anode-side current collector.

7. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 6, The skeleton of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector contains nickel and cobalt, The unit area weight of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector is 900 g / m 2 The following.

8. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 6, The skeleton of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector contains nickel, The unit area weight of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector is 1000 g / m 2 The following.

9. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, A value obtained by dividing a warping amount of the cell by a maximum width of the cell in plan view is 1 / 1000 or more.

10. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, is a solid oxide type fuel cell.

11. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, is a solid oxide type electrolysis cell.

12. An electrochemical cell device, comprising: a cell having a first main surface and a second main surface which is an opposite surface of the first main surface; a first current collector having a third main surface which faces the first main surface; and a second current collector having a fourth main surface which faces the second main surface, the cell is convexly warped from the second main surface toward the first main surface, the third main surface includes a recess at a position facing a central portion of the first main surface, the fourth main surface includes a protrusion at a position facing a central portion of the second main surface, each of the first current collector and the second current collector is constituted by at least one sheet of metal porous body constituted by a metal porous body having a skeleton with a three-dimensional mesh structure, the central portion of the first main surface includes a portion of the first main surface which is farthest from a reference surface when the cell is arranged on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface which is flat, the central portion of the second main surface includes a portion of the second main surface which is farthest from the reference surface when the cell is arranged on the reference surface in such a manner that the second main surface faces the reference surface which is flat, the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector is a first sheet of metal porous body and a second sheet of metal porous body, the first sheet of metal porous body and the second sheet of metal porous body are arranged in superposition in a thickness direction of the first current collector in such a manner that the second sheet of metal porous body is on the third main surface side, in the second sheet of metal porous body, a first through-hole which penetrates the second sheet of metal porous body in a thickness direction is formed at a position corresponding to the recess.

13. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 12, The at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector is a third sheet of metal porous body and a fourth sheet of metal porous body, The third sheet of metal porous body and the fourth sheet of metal porous body are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction of the second current collector, In the fourth sheet of metal porous body, a second through-hole that penetrates the fourth sheet of metal porous body in the thickness direction is formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion, The third sheet of metal porous body is arranged in the second through-hole, The thickness of the third sheet of metal porous body is greater than the thickness of the fourth sheet of metal porous body.

14. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 13, A value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the fourth sheet of metal porous body from the thickness of the third sheet of metal porous body is equal to the amount of warping of the cell.

15. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 12, The at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector is a third sheet of metal porous body and a fourth sheet of metal porous body, The third sheet of metal porous body and the fourth sheet of metal porous body are arranged in the thickness direction of the second current collector so that the fourth sheet of metal porous body is on the fourth main surface side, The fourth sheet of metal porous body constitutes the protrusion.

16. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 12, The first current collector is a cathode-side current collector, The second current collector is an anode-side current collector.

17. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 16, The skeleton of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector contains nickel and cobalt, The unit area weight of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the first current collector is 900 g / m 2 The following.

18. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 16, The skeleton of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector contains nickel, The unit area weight of each of the at least one sheet of metal porous body constituting the second current collector is 1000 g / m 2 The following.

19. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 12, A value obtained by dividing the amount of warping of the cell by the maximum width of the cell in plan view is 1 / 1000 or more.

20. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 12, It is a solid oxide type fuel cell.

21. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 12, it is a solid oxide type electrolysis cell.

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