Proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on TPMS metal foam flow channel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on a TPMS metal foam flow channel, which is sequentially arranged with a cathode current collector, a TPMS metal foam flow field, a cathode diffusion layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane, an anode catalyst layer, an anode diffusion layer, an anode direct current channel and an anode current collector: the present application replaces the cathode direct current channel with a TPMS metal foam flow field, and forms a complex and continuous channel inside, which minimizes the effect of fluid resistance, thereby increasing the gas flow rate. It is easy to transport oxygen in the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode diffusion layer, making the oxygen concentration distribution more uniform. At the same time, the metal foam material of the TPMS structure can provide excellent thermal management performance, which is beneficial to improving the working efficiency and stability of equipment such as batteries. The present application not only has a light weight and high strength, but also is beneficial to improving the performance of equipment such as batteries, and is suitable for electric vehicles, aircraft and other fields.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on a TPMS metal foam flow channel. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a power generation device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidant directly into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. In theory, a fuel cell can operate at a thermal efficiency close to 100%, making it highly economical.

[0003] The electrodes of fuel cells are porous structures. The main reason is that the fuel and oxidant used in fuel cells are mostly gases (such as oxygen, hydrogen, etc.), and the solubility of gases in electrolytes is not high. In order to increase the actual working current density of fuel cells and reduce polarization, electrodes with porous structures are developed to increase the electrode surface area involved in the reaction.

[0004] The straight channel design of existing fuel cells may lead to uneven distribution of gas in the channel, especially at the end of long channels. This uneven distribution may lead to low local gas concentration, affecting battery efficiency and output performance. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on TPMS metal foam flow channel, which can solve the problem of uneven gas distribution in the flow channel caused by the use of direct current channels in the fuel cell electrode channels in the prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel of the present invention comprises a cathode current collector, a TPMS metal foam flow field, a cathode diffusion layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane, an anode catalyst layer, an anode diffusion layer, an anode direct flow channel and an anode current collector arranged in sequence:

[0008] The cathode current collecting plate and the anode current collecting plate are used as electrodes for conducting electricity;

[0009] The TPMS metal foam flow field is used to transmit oxygen; the anode direct current channel is used to transmit hydrogen;

[0010] The cathode diffusion layer is used to diffuse oxygen; the anode diffusion layer is used to diffuse hydrogen;

[0011] The cathode catalyst layer is used to catalyze the diffused oxygen into cations; the anode catalyst layer is used to catalyze the diffused hydrogen into hydrogen ions and electrons;

[0012] The proton exchange membrane is used to pass hydrogen ions so that the hydrogen ions react by combining with cations.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, the structure of the TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is a p-type structure of a three-periodic minimal surface type, and the thickness of the TPMS metal foam flow field is 0.8 mm.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, the unit cell size of the TPMS metal foam flow field is 0.8 mm, the unit cell wall thickness is 0.03 mm, and the porosity of the lattice structure is 93%.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present application, the anode direct current channel is a cavity between the anode diffusion layer and the anode current collecting plate, and the height of the anode direct current channel is 0.8 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the anode current collector is 1.2 mm, and the thickness of the anode catalyst layer is 10.0 μm.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the proton exchange membrane is 25.4 μm.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the cathode catalyst layer is 10.0 μm, and the thickness of the cathode diffusion layer is 0.4 mm.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel of the present invention comprises a cathode current collector, a TPMS metal foam flow field, a cathode diffusion layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane, an anode catalyst layer, an anode diffusion layer, an anode direct current channel and an anode current collector arranged in sequence: the present application replaces the direct current channel of the cathode with the TPMS metal foam flow field, and forms a complex and continuous channel inside, which minimizes the influence of the fluid resistance, thereby increasing the flow rate of the gas. It is easy to transport oxygen in the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode diffusion layer, making the oxygen concentration distribution more uniform. At the same time, the metal foam material of the TPMS structure can provide excellent thermal management performance, which is beneficial to improving the working efficiency and stability of equipment such as batteries. The present application not only has a light weight and high strength, but also helps to improve the performance of equipment such as batteries, and is suitable for electric vehicles, aircraft and other fields. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present application and should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work:

[0021] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on a TPMS metal foam flow channel of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the lattice structure of the TPMS metal foam flow field in one embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 A structural diagram of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure control example based on a TPMS metal foam flow channel of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the comparison of polarization curves and power densities of the fuel cell in the present application and the control example;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram comparing the power density and output power density of the fuel cell in this application and the control example is given. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0027] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present application for which protection is sought, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0028] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device.

[0029] like Figure 1As shown: The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel of this embodiment includes a cathode current collector 1, a TPMS metal foam flow field 2, a cathode diffusion layer 3, a cathode catalyst layer 4, a proton exchange membrane 5, an anode catalyst layer 6, an anode diffusion layer 7, an anode direct flow channel 8 and an anode current collector 9 arranged in sequence:

[0030] The cathode current collecting plate 1 and the anode current collecting plate 9 are used as electrodes for conducting electricity;

[0031] The TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is used to transmit oxygen; the anode direct current channel 8 is used to transmit hydrogen;

[0032] The cathode diffusion layer 3 is used to diffuse oxygen; the anode diffusion layer 7 is used to diffuse hydrogen;

[0033] The cathode catalyst layer 4 is used to catalyze the diffused oxygen into cations; the anode catalyst layer 6 is used to catalyze the diffused hydrogen into hydrogen ions and electrons;

[0034] The proton exchange membrane 5 is used to pass hydrogen ions so that the hydrogen ions react with cations. The hydrogen ions react with cations to generate water at the positive electrode, and the electrons move to the positive electrode (cathode current collector 1) through the external circuit, thereby forming an electric current. In the above process, the present application uses the TPMS metal foam flow channel to transport oxygen. The TPMS structure makes full use of the excellent properties of metal foam, including good thermal conductivity and high strength. Through this structural arrangement, a complex and continuous channel is formed inside the metal foam flow channel, which minimizes the impact on fluid resistance, thereby increasing the flow rate of the gas. It is easy to transport oxygen in the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode diffusion layer, making the oxygen concentration distribution more uniform. At the same time, the metal foam material of the TPMS structure can provide excellent thermal management performance, which is beneficial to improve the working efficiency and stability of equipment such as batteries.

[0035] Specifically, the TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is inserted in parallel into the ridgeless flow channel and between the cathode diffusion layer 3 and the cathode current collector 1; the TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is substantially a component of the cathode flow channel. The structure of the TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is a p-type structure of a three-periodic minimal surface type, and the thickness of the TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is 0.8 mm.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lattice structure of the TPMS metal foam flow field in an embodiment of the present application. The TPMS structure design in the present application adopts a p-type structure of a three-periodic minimal surface type. In order to construct a conventional geometric form of the self-developed surface and facilitate the description of the characteristics and advantages of the metal foam structure, a P-type TPMS lattice structure is now established.

[0037] like Figure 2As shown, the unit cell size of the TPMS metal foam flow field 2 is 0.8 mm, the unit cell wall thickness is 0.03 mm, and the porosity of the lattice structure is 93%.

[0038] The main functions of the TPMS metal foam flow field: Improve the uniformity of the distribution of reactants: The TPMS structure can provide a more uniform gas flow distribution, which helps to improve the accessibility of reactants (such as oxygen) on the electrode surface. Improve the efficiency of proton or oxygen transfer: Due to its unique porous structure, it can increase the effective surface area of ​​the electrode, which helps to improve the transfer efficiency. The TPMS structure can reduce flow resistance and energy loss while maintaining good material transfer characteristics. The structure of the TPMS metal foam can provide strong mechanical support to resist deformation that may occur during the operation of the fuel cell. Compared with traditional flow channel designs, the TPMS structure can usually provide a larger surface area due to its unique continuous curved surface design, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of electrochemical reactions.

[0039] The anode direct current channel 8 is a cavity between the anode diffusion layer 7 and the anode current collector 9, and the height of the anode direct current channel 8 is 0.8 mm. The thickness of the anode current collector 9 is 1.2 mm, and the thickness of the anode catalyst layer 6 is 10.0 μm. During the operation of the battery, the fuel is transferred to the reaction interface through the anode direct current channel 8.

[0040] The thickness of the cathode catalyst layer 4 is 10.0 μm, the thickness of the cathode diffusion layer 3 is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of the proton exchange membrane 5 is 25.4 μm.

[0041] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure comparison example based on a TPMS metal foam flow channel in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the cathode of the control example adopts a direct current channel structure.

[0042] Figure 4 A schematic diagram comparing the polarization curve and power density of the fuel cell in this application and the control example is given, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the cathode structure of the present application significantly improves the performance of the battery, especially in the medium and high current density regions.

[0043] In traditional proton exchange membrane fuel cells, the cathode side usually adopts a groove-ridge structure, through which oxygen flows into the cell and diffuses. However, this structure has certain problems in oxygen distribution. The oxygen distribution in the groove-ridge structure may be uneven, especially under the ridge, where oxygen may be completely consumed, thereby reducing the operating efficiency of the cell. In contrast, the TPMS metal foam flow channel structure on the cathode side can make oxygen more evenly distributed in the catalyst layer and the diffusion layer due to its special three-dimensional continuous porous structure. This structure helps to improve the utilization rate of oxygen and avoid the situation where oxygen is completely consumed in certain areas, thereby further improving the performance of the fuel cell. In addition, the TPMS metal foam flow channel has also been improved in thermal management. Due to its good thermal conductivity, it can more effectively disperse the internal heat of the fuel cell, reduce the temperature gradient during the operation of the battery, and avoid thermal cracks caused by excessive temperature. Therefore, the use of TPMS metal foam flow channels on the cathode side can effectively solve the problems of uneven oxygen distribution and thermal management caused by the traditional groove-ridge structure, improve the operating efficiency and stability of the battery, and is an optimization solution with great potential.

[0044] Figure 5 A schematic diagram comparing the power density and output power density of the fuel cell in this application and the control example is given. Figure 5 It can be seen that under the same voltage, the pumping power required for the tpms metal foam flow field is about 14 times that of the channel-rib flow field, which is completely worthwhile compared to the increase in peak power density (about 17%).

[0045] In the above-mentioned embodiments, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments of the present invention, many replacements, modifications and variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the foregoing description. The embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover all such replacements, modifications and variations falling within the broad scope of the appended claims.

[0046] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed by the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on TPMS metal foam flow channel is characterized by: The invention comprises a cathode current collecting plate (1), a TPMS metal foam flow field (2), a cathode diffusion layer (3), a cathode catalyst layer (4), a proton exchange membrane (5), an anode catalyst layer (6), an anode diffusion layer (7), an anode direct current channel (8) and an anode current collecting plate (9) which are arranged in sequence: The cathode current collecting plate (1) and the anode current collecting plate (9) are used as electrodes for conducting electricity; The TPMS metal foam flow field (2) is used to transmit oxygen; the anode direct current channel (8) is used to transmit hydrogen; The cathode diffusion layer (3) is used to diffuse oxygen; the anode diffusion layer (7) is used to diffuse hydrogen; The cathode catalyst layer (4) is used to catalyze the diffused oxygen into cations; the anode catalyst layer (6) is used to catalyze the diffused hydrogen into hydrogen ions and electrons; The proton exchange membrane (5) is used to pass hydrogen ions so that the hydrogen ions react with cations; The structure of the TPMS metal foam flow field (2) is a p-type structure of a three-periodic minimal surface type, and the thickness of the TPMS metal foam flow field (2) is 0.8 mm; The unit cell size of the TPMS metal foam flow field (2) is 0.8 mm, the unit cell wall thickness is 0.03 mm, and the porosity of the lattice structure is 93%.

2. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anode direct current channel (8) is a cavity between the anode diffusion layer (7) and the anode current collecting plate (9), and the height of the anode direct current channel (8) is 0.8 mm.

3. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the anode current collecting plate (9) is 1.2 mm, and the thickness of the anode catalyst layer (6) is 10.0 μm.

4. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The proton exchange membrane (5) has a thickness of 25.4 μm.

5. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure based on the TPMS metal foam flow channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the cathode catalyst layer (4) is 10.0 μm, and the thickness of the cathode diffusion layer (3) is 0.4 mm.

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