Production apparatus and production method of hot transfer method membrane electrode

Abstract

This invention discloses a thermal transfer membrane electrode production apparatus, comprising a thermal transfer roller. The feed end of the thermal transfer roller is equipped with a first unwinding and peeling assembly and a second unwinding and peeling assembly, while the discharge end of the thermal transfer roller is equipped with a third unwinding and peeling assembly. A pressure roller is positioned above the thermal transfer roller and is in contact with it. In this invention, the proton exchange membrane does not need to contact the solvent during the membrane electrode preparation process using the thermal transfer method, effectively avoiding the "swelling" problem of the proton exchange membrane. The proton exchange membrane with a cathode catalyst coating and the anode catalyst coating with a transfer membrane run on the thermal transfer roller and are pressed against the pressure roller, ensuring effective fusion of the anode and cathode catalyst coatings with the proton exchange membrane interface, which is beneficial for the stable mass production of membrane electrodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of membrane electrode production equipment, specifically relating to a thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment, and also specifically relating to the above-mentioned thermal transfer membrane electrode production method. Background Technology

[0002] As the "chip" of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production, the membrane electrode plays a crucial role in the performance, lifespan, and cost of the entire PEM fuel cell stack (hereinafter referred to as fuel cell) and PEM water electrolyzer (hereinafter referred to as electrolyzer).

[0003] Currently, industrial membrane electrode production employs the CCM method, encompassing three main processes: electrodeposition, ultrasonic spraying, and direct coating. Electrochemical deposition is typically carried out in a three-electrode electroplating bath. Under an applied electric field, catalyst particles are directly deposited onto the core three-phase reaction zone of the MEA. Alternatively, Pt or Pt alloys can be electrolyzed from their mixed solutions or molten salts and brought into close contact with the proton exchange membrane. However, this method suffers from problems such as large and uneven catalyst particle size, catalyst agglomeration, and uneven distribution. Ultrasonic spraying is a novel method for preparing fuel cell membrane electrodes. The catalyst slurry is first vibrated and uniformly dispersed in an ultrasonic bath, and then sprayed onto the proton exchange membrane support under ultrasonic conditions. This method allows for precise control of the catalyst layer thickness, ensuring excellent uniformity of the sprayed catalyst layer. However, it suffers from low catalyst utilization and high energy consumption. Direct coating involves directly coating the catalyst slurry onto the proton exchange membrane. Its biggest advantage is its simplicity and reduced processing time. However, the proton exchange membrane is prone to swelling during the second direct coating process. Based on the structural and characteristic requirements of membrane electrodes, the project's R&D team developed a thermal transfer method for preparing membrane electrodes and related production equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment that solves the problems of easy catalyst coating peeling and easy swelling of proton exchange membranes in the prior art.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a thermal transfer membrane electrode.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is a thermal transfer film electrode production equipment, which includes a thermal transfer roller. The feed end of the thermal transfer roller is provided with a first unwinding and peeling assembly and a second unwinding and peeling assembly, and the discharge end of the thermal transfer roller is provided with a third unwinding and peeling assembly. A pressure roller is provided above the thermal transfer roller and is in contact with the thermal transfer roller.

[0007] The invention is further characterized by:

[0008] The first unwinding and peeling assembly includes an unwinding unit A, and a traction unit A, a peeling unit A, a winding unit A and a compensation mechanism are arranged sequentially between the unwinding unit A and the heat transfer roller.

[0009] The second unwinding and peeling assembly includes an unwinding unit B, and a traction unit B, a peeling unit B, a winding unit B, and a vision inspection mechanism A are arranged sequentially between the unwinding unit B and the heat transfer roller.

[0010] The third unwinding and peeling assembly includes a winding unit D, and a winding unit C, a peeling unit C, an unwinding unit C, a composite unit C, and a vision inspection mechanism B are arranged sequentially along the direction from the heat transfer roller to the winding unit D.

[0011] The compensation mechanism is set at any angle to the horizontal plane.

[0012] Another technical solution adopted in this invention is a thermal transfer method for producing film electrodes, which uses thermal transfer film electrode production equipment and is implemented according to the following steps:

[0013] Step 1: Take the membrane and place the proton exchange membrane on the unwinding unit A. The proton exchange membrane is coated with a cathode catalyst coating and a protective film, with the protective film facing the stripping unit A. Place the transfer membrane on the unwinding unit B. The transfer membrane is coated with an anode catalyst coating and a protective film, with the protective film facing the stripping unit B.

[0014] Step 2: Unwinding unit A unwinds the proton exchange membrane and pulls it to peeling unit A. Peeling unit A peels off the cathode catalyst coating and protective film. Rewinding unit A rewinds the protective film with the cathode catalyst coating facing the heat transfer roller. The proton exchange membrane with the protective film peeled off bypasses the compensation mechanism. The pressure roller wraps the proton exchange membrane with the protective film peeled off onto the heat transfer roller through hot pressing.

[0015] At the same time, the unwinding unit B unwinds the transfer film, which is then pulled to the peeling unit B by the traction unit B. The peeling unit B peels off the anode catalyst coating and the protective film, and the winding unit B winds up the protective film with the anode catalyst coating facing the cathode catalyst coating. The transfer film with the protective film peeled off passes through the vision inspection mechanism A, and the pressure roller wraps the transfer film with the protective film peeled off onto the hot transfer roller through hot pressing.

[0016] Step 3: The hot pressing action between the pressure roller and the hot transfer roller presses the anode catalyst coating and the proton exchange membrane with the protective film removed together to form a three-in-one membrane electrode. The three-in-one membrane electrode includes a cathode catalyst coating, a proton exchange membrane on the cathode side, an anode catalyst coating and a transfer membrane, with the transfer membrane facing the stripping unit C.

[0017] Step 4: The stripping unit C strips the transfer film on the three-in-one membrane electrode, and the winding unit C winds up the transfer film.

[0018] Step 5: The unwinding unit C releases the protective film, and the composite unit C applies the three-in-one membrane electrode protective film.

[0019] Step 6: The visual inspection unit B checks the position of the cathode side of the three-in-one film electrode after the protective film is applied, adjusts it through the compensation mechanism, and the winding unit D winds up the three-in-one film electrode.

[0020] The proton exchange membrane is positioned on the heat transfer roller at any position on the 2 / 4 to 4 / 4 circumference of the heat transfer roller.

[0021] The position of the transfer film on the heat transfer roller is any position on the 2 / 4 to 4 / 4 circumference of the heat transfer roller.

[0022] The proton exchange membrane and the heat transfer roller form a certain angle, with an angle of 90° to 0° on 2 / 4 of the circumference, an angle of 0° to -90° on 3 / 4 of the circumference, and an angle of -90° to 0° on 4 / 4 of the circumference.

[0023] The transfer film forms a certain angle with the heat transfer roller, with an angle of 90° to 0° on 2 / 4 of the circumference, an angle of 0° to -90° on 3 / 4 of the circumference, and an angle of -90° to 0° on 4 / 4 of the circumference.

[0024] The three-in-one membrane electrode is positioned on 1 / 8 of the circumference of the heat transfer roller, forming an angle of -45° to 0° with the heat transfer roller.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0026] This invention relates to a thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment, which differs from traditional electrodeposition, ultrasonic spraying, and direct coating methods. In this method, the catalyst slurry is first coated onto a transfer matrix, dried to remove the solvent, and then the catalyst layer is transferred to a proton exchange membrane via hot pressing. Using this thermal transfer method, the proton exchange membrane does not need to contact the solvent during membrane electrode fabrication, effectively avoiding the "swelling" problem. The proton exchange membrane with the cathode catalyst coating and the anode catalyst coating with the transfer membrane run on the thermal transfer rollers and are pressed together with the pressure rollers, ensuring effective fusion of the anode and cathode catalyst coatings with the proton exchange membrane interface, which is beneficial for the stable mass production of membrane electrodes. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of thermal transfer membrane electrode manufacturing equipment;

[0028] Figure 2 Four typical layout structures of compensation mechanisms;

[0029] Figure 3 The position of the transfer membrane or proton exchange membrane on the thermal transfer roller;

[0030] Figure 4 The position of the three-in-one film electrode on the heat transfer roller.

[0031] In the diagram, 1. Unwinding unit A, 2. Unwinding unit B, 3. Rewinding unit A, 4. Rewinding unit B, 5. Compensation mechanism, 6. Vision inspection mechanism A, 7. Pressure roller, 8. Heat transfer roller, 9. Rewinding unit C, 10. Unwinding unit C, 11. Vision inspection mechanism B, 12. Rewinding unit D, 13. Proton exchange membrane; 14. Transfer membrane; 15. Three-in-one membrane electrode, 16. Traction unit A, 17. Traction unit B, 18. Peeling unit A, 19. Peeling unit B, 20. Peeling unit C, 21. Composite unit C. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown,

[0034] The unwinding unit A1 provides the unwinding function of the proton exchange membrane 13, the traction unit A1 provides the running function of the proton exchange membrane 13, the peeling unit A18 provides the peeling function of the proton exchange membrane 13, and the winding unit A3 provides the winding function.

[0035] The unwinding unit A1 releases the proton exchange membrane 13 (the surface of the cathode catalyst layer is covered with a protective film containing a release agent). The peeling unit A18 separates the protective film on the surface of the cathode catalyst coating from the proton exchange membrane with the cathode catalyst coating. The winding unit A3 winds up the protective film, and the proton exchange membrane with the cathode catalyst coating moves toward the compensation mechanism 5.

[0036] The unwinding unit B2 provides the unwinding function of the transfer film 14, the traction unit B17 provides the running function of the transfer film 14, the peeling unit B19 provides the peeling function of the protective film on the surface of the anode catalyst coating on the transfer film 14, and the winding unit B4 provides the winding function.

[0037] The unwinding unit B2 releases the transfer film 14 (the surface of the anode catalyst layer is covered with a protective film containing a release agent). The peeling unit B19 separates the protective film on the surface of the anode catalyst coating from the transfer film with the anode catalyst coating. The winding unit B4 winds up the protective film, and the transfer film with the anode catalyst coating moves toward the vision inspection mechanism A6.

[0038] The visual inspection unit A6 provides the function of detecting the position of the anodic catalyst coating, the peeling unit C20 provides the peeling of the transfer film of the three-in-one film electrode 15, the winding unit C9 provides the winding function of the transfer film of the three-in-one film electrode 15, the unwinding unit C10 provides the unwinding function of the protective film of the three-in-one film electrode 15, the visual inspection unit B11 provides the function of detecting the position of the anodic catalyst coating and aligning it with the anodic catalyst coating, the composite unit C21 attaches the protective film to the surface of the anodic catalyst coating of the three-in-one film electrode 15, and the winding unit D12 provides the operation and winding functions of the three-in-one film electrode 15.

[0039] The position of the anode catalyst coating pattern is detected by visual inspection mechanism A6, and the position of the composite anode and cathode catalyst coating patterns is detected by visual inspection mechanism B11. The vision system compares the positions. Based on the position difference, the displacement of the proton exchange membrane with the cathode catalyst coating is adjusted by compensation mechanism 5 to align the positions of the anode and cathode catalyst coating patterns.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] This embodiment provides a thermal transfer method membrane electrode production equipment, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a heat transfer roller 8. The feed end of the heat transfer roller 8 is equipped with two sets of production equipment, namely a first unwinding and peeling assembly and a second unwinding and peeling assembly. The first unwinding and peeling assembly is sequentially equipped with an unwinding unit A1, a traction unit A16, a peeling unit A18, a winding unit A3, and a compensation mechanism 5. The second unwinding and peeling assembly is sequentially equipped with an unwinding unit B2, a traction unit B17, a peeling unit B19, a winding unit B4, and a vision inspection mechanism A6.

[0042] The discharge end of the heat transfer roller 8 is equipped with a third set of production equipment, namely the third unwinding and peeling assembly. The third unwinding and peeling assembly is sequentially equipped with a winding unit C9, a peeling unit C20, an unwinding unit C10, a composite unit C21, a vision inspection mechanism B11, and a winding unit D12.

[0043] A pressure roller 7 is provided above the heat transfer roller 8, and the pressure roller 7 is in contact with the heat transfer roller 8.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] This embodiment provides a thermal transfer method membrane electrode production equipment, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a heat transfer roller 8. The feed end of the heat transfer roller 8 is equipped with two sets of production equipment, namely a first unwinding and peeling assembly and a second unwinding and peeling assembly. The first unwinding and peeling assembly is sequentially equipped with an unwinding unit A1, a traction unit A16, a peeling unit A18, a winding unit A3, and a compensation mechanism 5. The second unwinding and peeling assembly is sequentially equipped with an unwinding unit B2, a traction unit B17, a peeling unit B19, a winding unit B4, and a vision inspection mechanism A6.

[0046] The discharge end of the heat transfer roller 8 is equipped with a third set of production equipment, namely the third unwinding and peeling assembly. The third unwinding and peeling assembly is sequentially equipped with a winding unit C9, a peeling unit C20, an unwinding unit C10, a composite unit C21, a vision inspection mechanism B11, and a winding unit D12.

[0047] A pressure roller 7 is provided above the heat transfer roller 8, and the pressure roller 7 is in contact with the heat transfer roller 8.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the compensation mechanism 5 has four typical structures relative to the horizontal plane: vertically upward, vertically downward, horizontally to the left, and horizontally to the right. However, it is not limited to these four structures. Adjustments to these four structures or to the angles also fall within the scope of this structure.

[0049] Example 3

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the proton exchange membrane 13 is positioned above the transfer membrane 14 on the thermal transfer roller.

[0051] The thermal transfer method for producing membrane electrodes, using thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment, is implemented according to the following steps:

[0052] Step 1: Take the membrane and place the proton exchange membrane 13 on the unwinding unit A1. The proton exchange membrane 13 is coated with a cathode catalyst coating and a protective film, with the protective film facing the stripping unit A18. Place the transfer membrane 14 on the unwinding unit B2. The transfer membrane 14 is coated with an anode catalyst coating and a protective film, with the protective film facing the stripping unit B19.

[0053] Step 2: The unwinding unit A1 unwinds the proton exchange membrane 13, which is then pulled to the peeling unit A18 by the traction unit A16. The peeling unit A18 peels off the cathode catalyst coating and the protective film. The winding unit A3 winds up the protective film, with the cathode catalyst coating facing the heat transfer roller 8. The proton exchange membrane 13 with the protective film peeled off passes around the compensation mechanism 5, and the pressure roller 7 wraps the proton exchange membrane 13 with the protective film peeled off onto the heat transfer roller 8 through hot pressing.

[0054] At the same time, the unwinding unit B2 unwinds the transfer film 14, which is then pulled to the peeling unit B19 by the traction unit B17. The peeling unit B19 peels off the anode catalyst coating and the protective film, and the winding unit B4 winds up the protective film with the anode catalyst coating facing the cathode catalyst coating. The transfer film with the protective film peeled off passes through the vision inspection mechanism A6, and the pressure roller 7 wraps the transfer film 14 with the protective film peeled off onto the hot transfer roller 8 through hot pressing.

[0055] Step 3: The anode catalyst coating is pressed together with the proton exchange membrane after the protective film has been peeled off by the hot pressing action between the pressure roller 7 and the hot transfer roller 8. After pressing, a three-in-one membrane electrode 15 is formed. The three-in-one membrane electrode 15 includes a cathode catalyst coating, a proton exchange membrane on the cathode side, an anode catalyst coating and a transfer membrane. The transfer membrane faces the peeling unit C20.

[0056] Step 4: The stripping unit C20 strips the transfer film on the three-in-one film electrode 15, and the winding unit C9 winds up the transfer film.

[0057] Step 5: The unwinding unit C10 releases the protective film, and the composite unit C21 applies the protective film to the three-in-one film electrode 15.

[0058] Step 6: The visual inspection mechanism B11 checks the position of the cathode side of the three-in-one film electrode 15 after the protective film is applied, adjusts it through the compensation mechanism 5, and the winding unit D12 winds up the three-in-one film electrode.

[0059] The position of the proton exchange membrane 13 or the transfer membrane 14 on the heat transfer roller 8 is any position on the 2 / 4 to 4 / 4 circumference of the heat transfer roller 8.

[0060] The proton exchange membrane 13 or the transfer membrane 14 forms a certain angle with the heat transfer roller 8, wherein the angle is 90° to 0° on 2 / 4 of the circumference, the angle is 0° to -90° on 3 / 4 of the circumference, and the angle is -90° to 0° on 4 / 4 of the circumference.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the three-in-one film electrode 15 is located on 1 / 8 of the circumference of the heat transfer roller, forming an angle of -45° to 0° with the heat transfer roller.

[0062] The working principle of the thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment of the present invention is as follows: The thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment is used for the production of three-in-one membrane electrodes. The proton exchange membrane 13 is unwound by the unwinding unit A1 and the traction unit A16. When it reaches the peeling unit A18, the protective film on the surface of the cathode catalyst coating is peeled off. The winding unit A3 winds up the protective film. The cathode catalyst coating with the protective film peeled off is wrapped onto the thermal transfer roller 8 after passing through the compensation mechanism 5. At the same time, the transfer membrane 14 is unwound by the unwinding unit B2 and the traction unit B17. When it reaches the peeling unit B19, the protective film on the surface of the anode catalyst coating is peeled off. The winding unit B4 winds up the protective film. The anode catalyst coating with the protective film peeled off is wrapped onto the heat transfer roller 8 after passing through the vision inspection mechanism A6. On the heat transfer roller 8, the transfer film coating with the anode catalyst coating and the uncoated surface of the proton exchange membrane with the cathode catalyst coating are bonded together and then passed through the pressure roller 7 to form a three-in-one membrane electrode 15. After the three-in-one membrane electrode 15 is coated with a protective film, the transfer film is peeled off by the peeling unit C20, and the winding unit C9 winds up the transfer film. The unwinding unit C10 releases the protective film, and the coating surface of the three-in-one membrane electrode 15 with the transfer film peeled off is coated with a protective film by the composite unit C21. After the three-in-one membrane electrode 15 is coated with a protective film, the position of the anode and cathode catalyst coatings is detected by the vision inspection mechanism B11. If the position is not aligned, the position is adjusted by the compensation mechanism to ensure that the positions of the anode and cathode catalyst coatings are aligned. Finally, the three-in-one membrane electrode is wound up by the winding unit.

Claims

1. A thermal transfer method film electrode production equipment, characterized in that, It includes a heat transfer roller (8), the feed end of the heat transfer roller (8) is provided with a first unwinding peeling component and a second unwinding peeling component, the discharge end of the heat transfer roller (8) is provided with a third unwinding peeling component, and a pressure roller (7) is provided above the heat transfer roller (8), the pressure roller (7) is in contact with the heat transfer roller (8); The first unwinding and peeling assembly includes an unwinding unit A (1), and a traction unit A (16), a peeling unit A (18), a winding unit A (3), and a compensation mechanism (5) are arranged sequentially between the unwinding unit A (1) and the heat transfer roller (8). The second unwinding and peeling assembly includes an unwinding unit B (2), and a traction unit B (17), a peeling unit B (19), a winding unit B (4), and a vision inspection mechanism A (6) are arranged sequentially between the unwinding unit B (2) and the heat transfer roller (8). The third unwinding and peeling assembly includes a winding unit D (12), and a winding unit C (9), a peeling unit C (20), an unwinding unit C (10), a composite unit C (21), and a visual inspection mechanism B (11) are arranged sequentially along the heat transfer roller (8) toward the winding unit D (12).

2. A method for producing a film electrode using a thermal transfer method, characterized in that, The thermal transfer membrane electrode production equipment described in claim 1 is implemented according to the following steps: Step 1: Take the membrane and place the proton exchange membrane (13) on the unwinding unit A (1). The proton exchange membrane (13) is coated with a cathode catalyst coating and a protective film, and the protective film faces the stripping unit A (18). Place the transfer membrane (14) on the unwinding unit B (2). The transfer membrane (14) is coated with an anode catalyst coating and a protective film, and the protective film faces the stripping unit B (19). Step 2: Unwinding unit A (1) unwinds the proton exchange membrane (13), which is then pulled to peeling unit A (18) by traction unit A (16). Peeling unit A (18) peels off the cathode catalyst coating and the protective film. Rewinding unit A (3) rewinds the protective film. The cathode catalyst coating faces the heat transfer roller (8). The proton exchange membrane (13) with the protective film peeled off bypasses the compensation mechanism (5). The pressure roller (7) wraps the proton exchange membrane (13) with the protective film peeled off onto the heat transfer roller (8) through hot pressing. At the same time, the unwinding unit B (2) unwinds the transfer film (14), which is then pulled to the peeling unit B (19) by the traction unit B (17). The peeling unit B (19) peels off the anode catalyst coating and the protective film, and the winding unit B (4) winds up the protective film. The anode catalyst coating faces the cathode catalyst coating. The transfer film (14) with the protective film peeled off passes through the vision inspection mechanism A (6), and the pressure roller (7) wraps the transfer film (14) with the protective film peeled off onto the hot transfer roller (8) through hot pressing. Step 3: The hot pressing action between the pressure roller (7) and the heat transfer roller (8) presses the anode catalyst coating with the proton exchange membrane after the protective film has been peeled off, forming a three-in-one membrane electrode (15). The three-in-one membrane electrode (15) includes a cathode catalyst coating, a proton exchange membrane on the cathode side, an anode catalyst coating and a transfer membrane, with the transfer membrane facing the peeling unit C (20). Step 4: The transfer film on the three-in-one film electrode (15) is peeled off by the peeling unit C (20), and the transfer film is wound up by the winding unit C (9); Step 5: The unwinding unit C (10) releases the protective film, and the composite unit C (21) attaches the protective film of the three-in-one film electrode (15); Step 6: Visual inspection mechanism B (11) checks the position of the cathode side of the three-in-one film electrode (15) after the protective film is attached, adjusts it through compensation mechanism (5), and winding unit D (12) winds up the three-in-one film electrode.

3. The method for producing a film electrode by thermal transfer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The position of the proton exchange membrane (13) on the heat transfer roller (8) is any position on the 2 / 4 to 4 / 4 circumference of the heat transfer roller (8).

4. The method for producing a film electrode by thermal transfer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The position of the transfer film (14) on the heat transfer roller (8) is any position on the 2 / 4 to 4 / 4 circumference of the heat transfer roller (8).

5. The method for producing a film electrode by thermal transfer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The proton exchange membrane (13) forms a certain angle with the heat transfer roller (8), wherein a 90° to 0° angle is formed on 2 / 4 of the circumference, a 0° to -90° angle is formed on 3 / 4 of the circumference, and a -90° to 0° angle is formed on 4 / 4 of the circumference.

6. The method for producing a film electrode by thermal transfer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transfer film (14) forms a certain angle with the heat transfer roller (8), wherein a 90° to 0° angle is formed on 2 / 4 of the circumference, a 0° to -90° angle is formed on 3 / 4 of the circumference, and a -90° to 0° angle is formed on 4 / 4 of the circumference.

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