Proton exchange membrane structure of fuel cell
By introducing a multi-layer structure, including a support layer, a reinforcement layer, and a proton conduction layer, into the proton exchange membrane of a fuel cell, the problems of conductivity imbalance and self-repair are solved, thereby improving the conductivity efficiency and operational stability of the fuel cell.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGSU BOHONG FUNENG HYDROGEN ENERGY TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Currently, the proton exchange membranes in fuel cells have insufficient conductivity balance, lack self-healing capabilities, and material breakage affects performance and has insufficient conductivity, limiting their application range.
A composite structure comprising a support layer, a proton exchange membrane, a reinforcement layer, a proton conduction layer, a hydrophobic layer, a nanofiller layer, an anode layer, and a cathode layer is designed. The combination of these layers improves conductivity, enhances mechanical strength and self-healing ability, maintains internal membrane humidity, and facilitates water management and gas separation.
This achieves a more balanced and stable electrical conductivity, enhances water retention and thermal stability, prevents flooding, and improves the efficiency and application range of fuel cells.
Smart Images

Figure CN224248623U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to a proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell. Background Technology
[0002] A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that is similar in composition to a regular battery. A single cell consists of two electrodes (the negative electrode being the fuel electrode and the positive electrode being the oxidant electrode) and an electrolyte. The difference is that in a regular battery, the active material is stored inside the battery, which limits the battery capacity.
[0003] Currently, the proton exchange membranes in fuel cells suffer from insufficient conductivity balance, lack self-healing capabilities, and material breakage significantly impacts their use. Furthermore, insufficient conductivity hinders their current application and necessitates improvement. Moreover, their application scope is limited. To address these issues, we propose a proton exchange membrane structure for fuel cells. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0006] A proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell includes a support layer, the inner wall of which is connected to a proton exchange membrane, the proton exchange membrane comprising a proton conducting layer, a hydrophobic layer, a nanofiller layer, an anode layer, and a cathode layer.
[0007] In a further embodiment, the inner wall of the support layer is connected to a set of reinforcing layers, the front side of which is connected to the back side of the proton exchange membrane.
[0008] In a further embodiment, the front side of the proton-conducting layer is connected to the back side of the hydrophobic layer, and the front side of the hydrophobic layer is connected to the back side of the nanofiller layer.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the front side of the nanofiller layer is connected to the back side of the anode layer, and the front side of the anode layer is connected to the back side of the cathode layer.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the proton conduction layer includes a gas diffusion layer, a bipolar plate, and a catalyst layer.
[0011] In a further embodiment, the front side of the gas diffusion layer is connected to the back side of the bipolar plate, and the front side of the bipolar plate is connected to the back side of the catalyst layer.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0013] This device utilizes a hydrophobic layer to maintain membrane humidity, an anode layer to prevent flooding, a cathode layer for efficient water management, bipolar plates to separate fuel and oxidant, a gas diffusion layer to provide gas and proton channels, a catalytic layer to facilitate the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and a nanofiller layer to form a hydrogen bond network, enhancing water retention and thermal stability. This combination ensures sufficient conductivity, enabling the device to perform repair functions, while also promoting balanced conductivity and facilitating current applications. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the proton exchange membrane structure of a fuel cell.
[0015] Figure 2 A side view of the three-dimensional structure of the proton exchange membrane support layer of a fuel cell;
[0016] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the proton exchange membrane structure of a fuel cell;
[0017] Figure 4 This is a side cross-sectional view of the proton conduction layer of the proton exchange membrane structure in a fuel cell.
[0018] In the diagram: 1. Support layer; 2. Proton exchange membrane; 3. Reinforcing layer; 4. Proton conduction layer; 5. Anode layer; 6. Hydrophobic layer; 7. Nanofiller layer; 8. Cathode layer; 9. Gas diffusion layer; 10. Bipolar plate; 11. Catalytic layer. Detailed Implementation
[0019] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0022] Please see Figure 1-4 In this utility model, a proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell includes a support layer 1, and a proton exchange membrane 2 is connected to the inner wall of the support layer 1. The proton exchange membrane 2 includes a proton conduction layer 4, a hydrophobic layer 6, a nanofiller layer 7, an anode layer 5, and a cathode layer 8.
[0023] A set of reinforcing layers 3 are connected to the inner wall of the support layer 1. The front side of the reinforcing layer 3 is connected to the back side of the proton exchange membrane 2. The design of the support layer 1 and the reinforcing layer 3 helps to prevent membrane deformation and thus provides structural support. The front side of the proton conduction layer 4 is connected to the back side of the hydrophobic layer 6. The front side of the hydrophobic layer 6 is connected to the back side of the nanofiller layer 7. The hydrophobic layer 6 helps to maintain the humidity inside the membrane. The nanofiller layer 7 helps to achieve self-repair and enhances water retention and thermal stability. The front side of the nanofiller layer 7 is connected to the back side of the anode layer 5. The front side of the anode layer 5 is connected to the back side of the cathode layer 8. The anode layer 5 helps to prevent water flooding. The cathode layer 8 facilitates water management.
[0024] The proton conduction layer 4 includes a gas diffusion layer 9, a bipolar plate 10, and a catalyst layer 11. The front side of the gas diffusion layer 9 is connected to the back side of the bipolar plate 10, and the front side of the bipolar plate 10 is connected to the back side of the catalyst layer 11. The bipolar plate 10 facilitates the separation of fuel and oxidant, and the gas diffusion layer 9 facilitates the provision of gas channels and proton channels.
[0025] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:
[0026] In use, the design of the support layer 1 and the reinforcing layer 3 enhances the overall mechanical strength. The proton exchange membrane 2, including the proton conduction layer 4, the hydrophobic layer 6, the nanofiller layer 7, the anode layer 5, and the cathode layer 8, improves conductivity and makes the conductivity more balanced and stable. The hydrophobic layer 6 maintains the humidity inside the membrane. The anode layer 5 prevents flooding, while the cathode layer 8 facilitates water management. The bipolar plate 10 separates the fuel from the oxidant, collects and conducts current, and provides a coolant channel. The gas diffusion layer 9 provides gas, proton, electron, and drainage channels. The catalytic layer 11 catalyzes the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The nanofiller layer 7 enhances water retention and thermal stability by forming a hydrogen bond network.
[0027] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
[0028] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell, characterized in that: It includes a support layer (1), the inner wall of which is connected to a proton exchange membrane (2), the proton exchange membrane (2) including a proton conduction layer (4), a hydrophobic layer (6), a nanofiller layer (7), an anode layer (5) and a cathode layer (8).
2. The proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the support layer (1) is connected to a set of reinforcing layers (3), and the front side of the reinforcing layers (3) is connected to the back side of the proton exchange membrane (2).
3. The proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front side of the proton conduction layer (4) is connected to the back side of the hydrophobic layer (6), and the front side of the hydrophobic layer (6) is connected to the back side of the nanofiller layer (7).
4. The proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front side of the nanofiller layer (7) is connected to the back side of the anode layer (5), and the front side of the anode layer (5) is connected to the back side of the cathode layer (8).
5. The proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The proton conduction layer (4) includes a gas diffusion layer (9), a bipolar plate (10), and a catalyst layer (11).
6. The proton exchange membrane structure for a fuel cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: The front side of the gas diffusion layer (9) is connected to the back side of the bipolar plate (10), and the front side of the bipolar plate (10) is connected to the back side of the catalyst layer (11).