A fuel cell single cell and fuel cell stack containing aerogel structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel cell cell containing an aerogel structure, comprising an anode plate, a first aerogel structure sheet, a proton exchange membrane, a second aerogel structure sheet, and a cathode plate. The first aerogel structure sheet is disposed between the anode plate and the proton exchange membrane, the second aerogel structure sheet is disposed between the proton exchange membrane and the cathode plate, and the proton exchange membrane is disposed between the first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet. The first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet both contain the same aerogel structure; the aerogel structure is an aerogel structure with a Pt skeleton and nanopores ranging from 20 nm to 50 nm. The present invention also provides a fuel cell stack prepared from the above-mentioned fuel cell cell. This application can effectively reduce the thickness of the cell, significantly reduce costs, effectively simplify the process, improve production efficiency, and facilitate large-scale production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to a fuel cell single cell and a fuel cell stack containing an aerogel structure. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through the chemical conversion of fuel and oxygen. Its structure primarily consists of bipolar plates, membrane electrode layers, and end plates. The core component of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which generally consists of a proton exchange membrane, a catalyst layer, and a gas diffusion layer. PEMFC performance is determined by the MEA, which in turn is primarily determined by the performance of the proton exchange membrane, the structure of the diffusion layer, the catalyst layer material and properties, and the MEA's fabrication process. Therefore, systematic research on MEA fabrication processes is of paramount importance.

[0003] Traditional fuel cell cells generally have a seven-layer structure, including two bipolar plates, two layers of carbon paper, two catalyst layers and a proton exchange membrane. Due to the large number of structural layers, the thickness of the single cell is relatively thick, and the volume power density of the fuel cell is relatively low. In addition, its preparation process is complex, the cost is high, and it is difficult to produce on a large scale. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, the present invention provides a fuel cell and stack containing an aerogel structure, aiming to address the problems of existing traditional fuel cell cells, such as the large number of structural layers, thick cells, relatively low volumetric power density, complex manufacturing processes, high costs, and difficulty in large-scale production. This application can effectively reduce the thickness of the fuel cell, thereby increasing its volumetric power, thereby effectively simplifying the process and improving production efficiency, making it easier to scale production.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, on the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell containing an aerogel structure, comprising an anode plate, a first aerogel structure sheet, a proton exchange membrane, a second aerogel structure sheet, and a cathode plate, wherein the first aerogel structure sheet is disposed between the anode plate and the proton exchange membrane, the second aerogel structure sheet is disposed between the proton exchange membrane and the cathode plate, and the proton exchange membrane is disposed between the first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet;

[0006] The first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet both contain the same aerogel structure; the aerogel structure is an aerogel structure with Pt as a skeleton and nanopores of 20nm to 50nm.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the first aerogel structure sheet is 150 um to 400 um; the thickness of the second aerogel structure sheet is 150 um to 400 um.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet have the same structure.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the first aerogel structure sheet or the second aerogel structure sheet is prepared by the following method:

[0010] S01, adding the first solution to the second solution while stirring to obtain a mixed solution; adding the third solution to the mixed solution, mixing well, to obtain a mixed solution;

[0011] S02, placing the mixed solution in a rotary evaporator, stirring at room temperature for 10 min to 15 min, then heating to 45°C to 50°C, stirring for another 10 min to 15 min, then cooling to 40°C to 45°C, and stirring at 40°C to 45°C for 35 min to 30 min;

[0012] S03, connecting one end of the rotary evaporator to air, stirring continuously at 60°C to 65°C for 20h to 24h, then heating to 80°C to 90°C, stirring at 80°C to 90°C for 1h, then heating to 100°C and stirring for 20min to 30min to obtain the product;

[0013] S04, thinning the product to obtain a sheet; and drying the sheet to obtain an aerogel structure sheet.

[0014] Preferably, in step S01,

[0015] The first solution is an isopropanol solution of aluminum isopropoxide, containing 36.7632g-44.9328g of aluminum isopropoxide per 100mL of isopropanol;

[0016] The second solution is an acetone solution of chloroplatinic acid, with each 10 mL of acetone containing 0.4743 g to 0.5797 g of chloroplatinic acid;

[0017] The third solution is a methanol solution of H2O, and each 100 mL of methanol contains 9.5418 g to 11.6622 g of H2O.

[0018] Preferably, in step S04,

[0019] The flaking process is carried out in an open mill.

[0020] The drying step is to dry the mixture in an oven at 110° C. to 120° C. for 24 hours.

[0021] The aerogel structure sheet is a Pt / Al2O3 aerogel structure sheet.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment, the aerogel structure contains a catalyst suitable for the fuel cell.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment, the anode plate is an anode plate without a hydrogen flow channel.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment, the cathode plate is a cathode plate without an air flow channel. On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application further provides a fuel cell stack, which is prepared from the above-mentioned fuel cell single cell.

[0025] The aerogel structure sheet of this application can replace the gas flow channels, gas diffusion layers, and catalyst layers of the traditional battery structure, effectively reducing the thickness of a single fuel cell. Compared to the thickness of a traditional seven-layer fuel cell, the thickness of the structure of this application can be reduced by approximately 50 to 200 microns, while achieving the same performance as a traditional seven-layer structure cell, ensuring good porosity and tensile strength, and the volumetric power of the fuel cell can be increased by 5% to 15%. This application can significantly reduce costs, effectively simplify the process, improve production efficiency, and facilitate large-scale production.

[0026] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a cross-section (cut along a direction parallel to the long side of the fuel cell containing the aerogel structure) of an exploded structure of a fuel cell containing an aerogel structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of electron microscope scanning of the aerogel structure of the first aerogel structure sheet (or the second aerogel structure sheet) of a fuel cell cell containing an aerogel structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...), then the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0032] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element.

[0033] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features specified as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in this field can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0034] Currently, conventional fuel cell cells typically have a seven-layer structure, including two bipolar plates, two layers of carbon paper, two catalyst layers, and a proton exchange membrane. This large number of layers results in a thick cell, resulting in a relatively low volumetric power density. Furthermore, the complex and costly preparation process makes large-scale production difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a fuel cell and stack containing an aerogel structure to address these technical issues.

[0035] Specifically, on the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell cell containing an aerogel structure, comprising an anode plate 10, a first aerogel structure sheet 20, a proton exchange membrane 30, a second aerogel structure sheet 40, and a cathode plate 50, wherein the first aerogel structure sheet 20 is disposed between the anode plate 10 and the proton exchange membrane 30, the second aerogel structure sheet 40 is disposed between the proton exchange membrane 30 and the cathode plate 50, and the proton exchange membrane 30 is disposed between the first aerogel structure sheet 20 and the second aerogel structure sheet 40;

[0036] The first aerogel structure sheet 20 and the second aerogel structure sheet 40 both contain the same aerogel structure; the aerogel structure is an aerogel structure with Pt as the skeleton and nanopores of 20nm to 50nm (for example, according to actual needs, it can be 20um, or 25um, or 40um, or 50um, etc.).

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the first aerogel structure sheet 20 is 150um to 400um (for example, according to actual needs, it can be 150um, or 250um, or 300um, or 400um, etc.); the thickness of the second aerogel structure sheet 40 is 150um to 400um (for example, according to actual needs, it can be 150um, or 250um, or 300um, or 400um, etc.).

[0038] As a preferred embodiment, the first aerogel structure sheet 20 and the second aerogel structure sheet 40 have the same structure.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment, in the embodiment of the present application, the first aerogel structure sheet 20 or the second aerogel structure sheet 40 is prepared by the following method:

[0040] S01, adding the first solution to the second solution while stirring to obtain a mixed solution; adding the third solution to the mixed solution, mixing well, to obtain a mixed solution;

[0041] S02. The mixed solution is placed in a rotary evaporator and stirred at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes (for example, 10 minutes, 12 minutes, or 15 minutes, etc., according to actual needs), then heated to 45° C. to 50° C. (for example, 45° C., 48° C., or 50° C., etc., according to actual needs), and stirred for another 10 to 15 minutes (for example, 10 minutes, 12 minutes, or 15 minutes, etc., according to actual needs), then cooled to 40° C. to 45° C. (for example, 40° C., 43° C., or 45° C., etc., according to actual needs), and stirred at 40° C. to 45° C. (for example, 40° C., 43° C., or 45° C., etc., according to actual needs) for 30 to 35 minutes (for example, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, or 35 minutes, etc., according to actual needs);

[0042] S03, connecting one end of the rotary evaporator to air, stirring continuously at 60° C. to 65° C. (for example, 60° C., 63° C., or 65° C., etc., according to actual needs) for 20 h to 24 h (for example, 20 h, 22 h, or 24 h, etc., according to actual needs), then heating to 80° C. to 90° C. (for example, 80° C., 85° C., or 90° C., etc., according to actual needs), stirring at 80° C. to 90° C. (for example, 80° C., 85° C., or 90° C., etc., according to actual needs) for 1 h, then heating to 100° C. and stirring for 20 min to 30 min (for example, 20 min, 25 min, or 30 min, etc., according to actual needs) to obtain the product;

[0043] S04, thinning the product to obtain a sheet; and drying the sheet to obtain an aerogel structure sheet.

[0044] Preferably, in step S01,

[0045] The first solution is an isopropanol solution of aluminum isopropoxide, and each 100 mL of isopropanol contains 36.7632 g to 44.9328 g (for example, 36.7632 g, 38.7863 g, or 44.9328 g, etc., depending on actual needs) of aluminum isopropoxide;

[0046] The second solution is an acetone solution of chloroplatinic acid, wherein each 10 mL of acetone contains 0.4743 g to 0.5797 g (for example, 0.4743 g, 0.5132 g, or 0.5797 g, etc., depending on actual needs) of chloroplatinic acid;

[0047] The third solution is a methanol solution of H2O, and each 100 mL of methanol contains 9.5418 g-11.6622 g (for example, 9.5418 g, 10.3639 g, 11.6622 g, etc., depending on actual needs) of H2O.

[0048] Preferably, in step S04,

[0049] The flaking process is carried out in an open mill.

[0050] The drying is carried out in an oven at 110° C. to 120° C. (for example, 110° C., 115° C., or 120° C., etc., depending on actual needs) for 24 hours.

[0051] The aerogel structure sheet is a Pt / Al2O3 aerogel structure sheet, and the aerogel structure prepared in the embodiment of the present application is a 0.5% Pt / Al2O3 aerogel structure.

[0052] That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the aerogel structure is prepared by the sol-gel method. After aging, the sol particles slowly polymerize to form a gel with a three-dimensional network structure. The gel network is filled with a solvent that has lost its fluidity to form a gel; the gel is dried, sintered and solidified to prepare molecular and even nano-substructured materials.

[0053] As a preferred embodiment, the aerogel structure contains a catalyst suitable for the fuel cell.

[0054] As a preferred embodiment, the anode plate is an anode plate without a hydrogen flow channel; the cathode plate is a cathode plate without an air flow channel.

[0055] When preparing a fuel cell cell, the first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet are pre-treated again by a mold opening machine and placed on both sides of the proton exchange membrane, and then hot-pressed at 130°C to 150°C for 3 to 5 minutes to obtain a three-layer aerogel structure membrane electrode; then a sealing ring is applied to the outer periphery of the graphite plate anode plate without a hydrogen flow channel and the graphite plate cathode plate without an air flow channel to ensure air tightness, and then the fuel cell cell is obtained by pressing the aerogel structure membrane electrode; or an adhesive is applied to the outer periphery of the anode plate and the cathode plate to ensure air tightness, and then the fuel cell cell is obtained by bonding them to the aerogel structure membrane electrode.

[0056] The prepared fuel cell was placed on a stack test bench for testing, with hydrogen, air, and deionized water introduced. The deionized water temperature was 68°C to 72°C, with inlet and outlet pressures of 16.1 kPa and 5.2 kPa, respectively, and a flow rate of 30 LPM. The hydrogen inlet and outlet pressures were 44 kPa and 40 kPa, respectively, with a flow rate of 26 LPM. The air inlet and outlet pressures were 25 kPa and 20 kPa, respectively, with a flow rate of 94 LPM. The measured voltage before load was 0.956 V. With load connected, the controlled current was 30 A, and the voltage was 0.922 V.

[0057] The void ratio of the 300 μm thick aerogel structure sheet prepared by the present invention measured by a Best void ratio tester is 70% to 80%, and the tensile strength of the 300 μm aerogel sheet prepared by the present invention measured by a ZLL-30 paper tensile testing machine is 12 MPa to 15 MPa.

[0058] In other embodiments of the present application, the aerogel structure sheet can replace at least one of the electrode plate flow channel, the gas diffusion layer and the catalyst layer according to actual needs.

[0059] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application further provides a fuel cell stack, which is prepared from the above-mentioned fuel cell single cell.

[0060] The aerogel structure sheet of this application can replace the gas flow channels, gas diffusion layers, and catalyst layers of the traditional battery structure, effectively reducing the thickness of a single fuel cell. Compared to the thickness of a traditional seven-layer fuel cell, the thickness of the structure of this application can be reduced by approximately 50 to 200 microns, while achieving the same performance as a traditional seven-layer structure cell, ensuring good porosity and tensile strength, and the volumetric power of the fuel cell can be increased by 5% to 15%. This application can significantly reduce costs, effectively simplify the process, improve production efficiency, and facilitate large-scale production.

[0061] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present invention description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell cell containing an aerogel structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises an anode plate, a first aerogel structure sheet, a proton exchange membrane, a second aerogel structure sheet and a cathode plate, wherein the first aerogel structure sheet is arranged between the anode plate and the proton exchange membrane, the second aerogel structure sheet is arranged between the proton exchange membrane and the cathode plate, and the proton exchange membrane is arranged between the first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet; The first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet both contain the same aerogel structure; the aerogel structure is an aerogel structure with Pt as a skeleton and nanopores of 20nm to 50nm; The thickness of the first aerogel structure sheet is 150um to 400um; the thickness of the second aerogel structure sheet is 150um to 400um; The anode plate is an anode plate without a hydrogen flow channel; The cathode plate is a cathode plate without an air flow channel.

2. The fuel cell containing an aerogel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first aerogel structure sheet and the second aerogel structure sheet have the same structure.

3. The fuel cell containing an aerogel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first aerogel structure sheet or the second aerogel structure sheet is prepared by the following method: S01, adding the first solution to the second solution while stirring to obtain a mixed solution; adding the third solution to the mixed solution, mixing well, to obtain a mixed solution; S02, placing the mixed solution in a rotary evaporator, stirring at room temperature for 10 min to 15 min, then heating to 45°C to 50°C, stirring for another 10 min to 15 min, then cooling to 40°C to 45°C, and stirring at 40°C to 45°C for 35 min to 30 min; S03, connecting one end of the rotary evaporator to air, stirring continuously at 60°C to 65°C for 20h to 24h, then heating to 80°C to 90°C, stirring at 80°C to 90°C for 1h, then heating to 100°C and stirring for 20min to 30min to obtain the product; S04, thinning the product to obtain a sheet; and drying the sheet to obtain an aerogel structure sheet.

4. The fuel cell cell containing an aerogel structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step S01, The first solution is an isopropanol solution of aluminum isopropoxide, containing 36.7632g-44.9328g of aluminum isopropoxide per 100mL of isopropanol; The second solution is an acetone solution of chloroplatinic acid, with each 10 mL of acetone containing 0.4743 g to 0.5797 g of chloroplatinic acid; The third solution is a methanol solution of H2O, and each 100 mL of methanol contains 9.5418 g to 11.6622 g of H2O.

5. The fuel cell containing an aerogel structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step S04, The flaking process is carried out in an open mill; The drying step is to dry the mixture in an oven at 110°C to 120°C for 24 hours; The aerogel structure sheet is a Pt / Al2O3 aerogel structure sheet.

6. The fuel cell containing an aerogel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aerogel structure contains a catalyst suitable for the fuel cell.

7. A fuel cell stack, characterized in that: The fuel cell stack is prepared from the fuel cell cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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