Proton exchange membranes and fuel cells including proton exchange membranes

Abstract

This utility model relates to a proton exchange membrane, comprising: a first ionomer layer (10) formed by deposition or coating; a first support layer (40) covering the first ionomer layer (10); an intermediate ionomer layer (30) deposited or coated on the first support layer (40); a second support layer (50) covering the intermediate ionomer layer (30); and a second ionomer layer (20) deposited or coated on the second support layer (50). This application also relates to fuel cells including a proton exchange membrane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a proton exchange membrane and a fuel cell including the proton exchange membrane. Background Technology

[0002] The proton exchange membrane (PEMFC), as one of the core components of a PEMFC, primarily functions to prevent direct mixing and chemical reactions between fuel gas and oxidant gas, and to conduct protons while preventing electron conduction within the membrane. The PEMFC largely determines the overall performance, lifespan, and price of the PEMFC. During fuel cell operation, alternating wet and dry conditions are inevitable, leading to expansion / contraction and stress fluctuations.

[0003] Proton exchange membranes typically consist of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer providing mechanical support and a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer to enhance proton conductivity. Insufficient physical stability of the proton exchange membrane can lead to the continuous degradation of the ionomer.

[0004] The goal is to improve the physical stability of proton exchange membranes. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to improve the physical stability of proton exchange membranes.

[0006] This objective is achieved through the proton exchange membrane of this application.

[0007] The proton exchange membrane of the first aspect of this application includes: a first ionomer layer formed by deposition or coating, a first support layer covering the first ionomer layer, an intermediate ionomer layer deposited or coated on the first support layer, a second support layer covering the intermediate ionomer layer, and a second ionomer layer deposited or coated on the second support layer.

[0008] The proton exchange membrane of the second aspect of this application is constructed as a five-layer structure bonded together, the five layers being, in sequence: a first ionomer layer, a first support layer, an intermediate ionomer layer, a second support layer, and a second ionomer layer.

[0009] The proton exchange membrane of the third aspect of this application includes: a first ionomer layer, a first support layer, an intermediate ionomer layer, a second support layer, and a second ionomer layer arranged sequentially and bonded together, with a total thickness of 20±3 μm.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first ionomer layer, the intermediate ionomer layer, and the second ionomer layer are all hydrocarbon ionomer layers.

[0011] The proton exchange membrane of the fourth aspect of this application includes at least two support layers and at least three hydrocarbon ionomer layers, with the hydrocarbon ionomer layers and support layers arranged alternately and bonded together, the two outermost layers being hydrocarbon ionomer layers, and the total thickness of the proton exchange membrane being 20±3 μm.

[0012] In some embodiments, both the first support layer and the second support layer are PTFE layers.

[0013] In some embodiments, the thickness of the proton exchange membrane is 20±3 μm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sum of the thicknesses of the first support layer and the second support layer is 5-10 μm. In some embodiments, the sum of the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer, the intermediate ionomer layer, and the second ionomer layer is 10-15 μm. In some embodiments, the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer and the intermediate ionomer layer are equal to or have a thickness difference of no more than 3 μm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first support layer and the second support layer is about 3 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer is about 4 μm, and the thickness of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer is about 5 μm and about 3 μm, or about 3 μm and about 5 μm, respectively.

[0016] In some embodiments, the thicknesses of the first support layer and the second support layer are about 2 μm and about 4 μm, respectively; the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer is about 4 μm; and the thicknesses of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer are about 5 μm and about 3 μm, respectively, or about 3 μm and about 5 μm, respectively; or

[0017] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first support layer and the second support layer is about 3.5 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer is about 3.5 μm, and the thickness of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer is about 3.5 μm.

[0018] This application also relates to a fuel cell, comprising: the proton exchange membrane described above; an anode and a cathode catalyst layers respectively bonded to a first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and a second hydrocarbon ionomer layer; and an anode and a cathode gas diffusion layers respectively located outside the anode and cathode catalyst layers.

[0019] The proton exchange membrane of this application comprises at least two (e.g., two or more) support layers and at least three (e.g., three or more) hydrocarbon ionomer layers, with the support layers and hydrocarbon ionomer layers arranged alternately, and the two outermost layers being hydrocarbon ionomer layers. The use of two or more support layers enhances physical, chemical, and mechanical stability, slowing down the degradation of the ionomers or the thinning rate of the ionomer layers, particularly when the proton exchange membrane uses hydrocarbon ionomer layers. An exemplary structure is a five-layer structure comprising only two support layers and three ionomer layers, achieving the above objectives without increasing the overall thickness of existing proton exchange membranes. This structure eliminates the need for complex structures and high costs associated with maintaining membrane water content, while effectively blocking the permeation of reactant gases, contributing to improved efficiency of fuel cells including proton exchange membranes and reduced purging operations and associated costs. This structure offers enhanced mechanical, chemical, and physical stability, increased strength, higher Young's modulus, toughness, and tensile strength, as well as better suppression of membrane expansion (e.g., in the case of water absorption by the proton exchange membrane). Proton exchange membranes possess higher ultimate fatigue strength and better physical stability and mechanical properties, which can lead to stable dry and wet cycling performance and low degradation rate. They can enhance the barrier properties between hydrogen and oxygen, reduce hydrogen permeability, and at the same time, they do not increase proton conduction resistance. This can increase dimensional stability and improve the lifespan and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing an exemplary structure of the proton exchange membrane for a fuel cell according to this application.

[0021] Figures 2a-2f It is manufacturing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first process steps of a proton exchange membrane.

[0022] Figures 3a-3f It is manufacturing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the steps in the second process of proton exchange membrane. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0024] It should be understood that, in this document, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order, nor should they be construed as implying the number of technical features indicated. Features specified as “first” or “second” may expressly or implicitly indicate the inclusion of at least one of those features. In this document, “multiple” means at least two, such as two, three, or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0025] Figure 1 This is an exemplary embodiment of a proton exchange membrane for a fuel cell constructed according to the principles of this application. It should be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale.

[0026] A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is generally composed of a support layer and an ionomer layer. The support layer provides mechanical support and structural stability in the PEM, while the ionomer layer allows proton conduction. Together, they ensure the efficient operation of the PEM in fuel cells or water electrolysis devices.

[0027] The support layer can be provided as a material membrane, such as a porous material membrane. A common material membrane is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane, such as porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes, which have excellent chemical stability, helping to suppress the swelling of the proton exchange membrane under different humidity conditions and maintain dimensional stability. However, the materials that can be used to manufacture the support layer are not limited to this.

[0028] The ionomer layer can be made from perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers and hydrocarbon ionomers.

[0029] Perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers that can be used to manufacture ionomer layers for proton exchange membranes include long-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers (such as...) ) and short-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers (such as Compared to long-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers, short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers are relatively preferred due to their higher mechanical properties and dimensional stability, higher crystallinity, lower swelling, better thermal stability, and ability to maintain good proton conductivity under high-temperature conditions.

[0030] The hydrocarbon ionomers used to manufacture the ionomer layers of proton exchange membranes can be sulfonated aromatic thermally stable polymers, such as polyetherketones, polyarylethersulfones, and polybenzimidazoles, with sulfonated polyarylethersulfones being preferred. Preferably, the hydrocarbon polymer can be a partially sulfonated hydrocarbon polymer (e.g., 50% sulfonation). Compared to perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers, using hydrocarbon ionomers as the ionomer layer of a proton exchange membrane has advantages such as easier availability, simpler preparation, and lower cost, and also provides better proton conductivity. However, hydrocarbon ionomers have disadvantages in terms of lower chemical stability, thermal stability, mechanical stability, or strength.

[0031] This application specifically provides a multilayer proton exchange membrane comprising at least two support layers and at least three ionomer layers, wherein the support layers and ionomer layers are arranged alternately.

[0032] The proton exchange membrane of this application includes at least two (two or more) support layers, which provide enhanced mechanical support for the membrane. In particular, in embodiments where the ionomer layer is a hydrocarbon ionomer layer, it perfectly solves the aforementioned disadvantages of hydrocarbon ionomers and is particularly advantageous, with improved physical stability.

[0033] Of course, the support layer and ionomer layer of the proton exchange membrane are not limited to the materials mentioned above. The materials used to manufacture these layers are known in the art, and this application is not intended to protect the materials themselves.

[0034] An example of a layered structure comprising at least two support layers and at least three ionomer layers arranged alternately in this application is shown in Figure 1 It is shown in the figure.

[0035] Figure 1 The proton exchange membrane 100 is constructed with exactly five layers, including three ionomer layers: an outermost first ionomer layer 10 and a second ionomer layer 20, and an intermediate ionomer layer 30; and two support layers: a first support layer 40 sandwiched between the first ionomer layer 10 and the intermediate ionomer layer 30, and a second support layer 50 sandwiched between the second ionomer layer 20 and the intermediate ionomer layer 30. In this example, support layers 40 and 50 may be PTFE layers, particularly porous PTFE layers; ionomer layers 10, 20, and 30 may be hydrocarbon ionomer layers.

[0036] on the one hand, Figure 1 The example proton exchange membrane 100 has the advantages of simple preparation, easy availability, low cost, and good proton conductivity provided by the hydrocarbon ionomer layer. The proton exchange membrane does not require complex structures and high costs to maintain the membrane's water content, while effectively blocking the permeation of reactant gases. This helps improve the efficiency of fuel cells including proton exchange membranes, reduce purging operations and related costs, and improve fuel cell lifespan and durability. On the other hand, Figure 1 The example proton exchange membrane 100 has the advantages provided by multiple (e.g., at least two) support layers: enhanced mechanical, chemical and physical (e.g., thermal) stability, increased strength, higher Young's modulus, toughness and tensile strength, and better suppression of membrane swelling (e.g. in the case of water absorption by the proton exchange membrane).

[0037] The proton exchange membrane 100 of this application comprises two support layers and three ionomer layers, and can have the thickness of a conventional or traditional proton exchange membrane. For example, compared to a proton exchange membrane structure (ionomer layer-PTFE layer-ionomer layer) comprising only two ionomer layers and a support layer sandwiched therebetween, the five-layer structure of this application (ionomer layer-PTFE layer-ionomer layer-PTF layer-ionomer layer) provides the aforementioned advantages by simply separating the middle support layer into two support layers without changing (in particular, without increasing) the total thickness of the support layers, and separating the two ionomer layers into three ionomer layers without changing (in particular, without increasing) the total thickness of the ionomer layers. This application provides higher ultimate fatigue strength and better physical stability and mechanical properties without changing the external dimensions (in particular, the thickness) of the original proton exchange membrane, resulting in stable dry and wet cycling performance and a lower degradation rate.

[0038] Specifically, the total thickness of the proton exchange membrane in this application can be 20 ± 3 μm. In some embodiments, the sum of the thicknesses of the first and second support layers 40 and 50 can be 5-10 μm. In some embodiments, the sum of the thicknesses of the three ionomer layers 10, 20 and 30 can be 10-15 μm.

[0039] In some embodiments, one of the outermost first ionomer layers 10 and the second ionomer layer 20 of the proton exchange membrane 100, adjacent to the anode catalyst layer (10 or 20) and adjacent to the cathode catalyst layer (20 or 20), may have the same thickness.

[0040] In some embodiments, the ionomer layers (10 or 20) adjacent to the anode catalyst layer and adjacent to the cathode catalyst layer in the outermost first ionomer layer 10 and second ionomer layer 20 of the proton exchange membrane 100 can have different thicknesses, with the former being greater or less than the latter; that is, the two outermost ionomer layers have an asymmetric design. This asymmetric design of the two outermost ionomer layers takes into account the inconsistent degradation (or thinning) rates of these two ionomer layers during the decay process. In this case, the thickness difference between the first ionomer layer 10 and the second ionomer layer 20 does not exceed 3 μm.

[0041] As an example of thickness distribution, the thicknesses of the first and second support layers 40 and 50 are approximately 3 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer 30 is approximately 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the ionomer layers near the anode catalyst layer and near the cathode catalyst layer in the first and second ionomer layers 10 and 20 are approximately 5 μm and approximately 3 μm, respectively, or vice versa.

[0042] As another example of thickness distribution, the thicknesses of the first and second support layers 40 and 50 are about 2 μm and about 4 μm, respectively, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer 30 is about 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the ionomer layers near the anode catalyst layer and near the cathode catalyst layer in the first and second ionomer layers 10 and 20 are about 5 μm and about 3 μm, respectively, or vice versa.

[0043] As another example of thickness distribution, the thicknesses of the first and second support layers 40 and 50 are approximately 3.5 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer 30 is approximately 3.5 μm, and the thicknesses of the first and second ionomer layers 10 and 20 are approximately 3.5 μm.

[0044] This document merely provides examples of five-layer proton exchange membranes with varying thickness details. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited in any way to the listed thickness allocation details. Furthermore, please note that numerical values ​​used herein should be understood to have the same meaning as expressions preceded by the word "approximately," for example, a thickness of 3 μm should be understood as a thickness of approximately 3 μm.

[0045] Overall, the layers of the proton exchange membrane of this application have approximately equal thicknesses, preferably with a thickness difference of no more than 3 μm between adjacent layers, more preferably no more than 2 μm, and more preferably no more than 1 μm.

[0046] Figures 2a-2f Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The first process (spray deposition process) steps of the proton exchange membrane structure are as follows:

[0047] (For example, on the catalyst layer 70 on the horizontally placed gas diffusion layer 60 electrode) a first ionomer layer 10 is sprayed and deposited, such as Figure 2a As shown in the figure, a container 200 containing liquid ionomers moves along direction F;

[0048] A first support layer 40 is formed by covering the first ionomer layer 10 with a PTFE material in the form of a film, sheet, or plate. Figure 2b As shown;

[0049] Dry at 70℃-90℃ for 5-20 minutes;

[0050] A liquid ionomer is sprayed onto the first support layer 40 to form an intermediate ionomer layer 30, such as... Figure 2c As shown;

[0051] A second support layer 50 is formed by covering the intermediate ionomer layer 30 with PTFE material (e.g., porous PTFE). Figure 2d As shown;

[0052] Dry at 70℃-90℃ for 5-20 minutes;

[0053] A liquid ionomer is sprayed onto the second support layer 50 to form a second ionomer layer 20, such as... Figure 2e As shown; and

[0054] An electrode GDE (gas diffusion electrode) with a catalyst layer 80 is coated on the second ionomer layer 20, such as... Figure 2f As shown.

[0055] The deposition in this process can be, but is not limited to, chemical vapor deposition.

[0056] Figures 3a-3f Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The second process (coating process) for proton exchange membrane structures consists of the following steps:

[0057] First, use a scraper 300 to coat the liquid ionomer onto a clean glass plate 5, such as... Figure 3a As shown, a first ionomer layer 10 with a uniform film thickness is obtained;

[0058] A porous PTFE layer is coated onto a liquid ionomer to form a first support layer 40. Then, n-propanol is sprayed onto the PTFE using equipment 400 to promote interfacial interaction between the ionomer layer and the PTFE. Figure 3b As shown;

[0059] Dry on a heating plate at 70℃-90℃ for 60-90 minutes;

[0060] The liquid ionomer is coated again onto the first support layer 40 by a scraping method, so that it is located in the center of the membrane, forming an intermediate ionomer layer 30;

[0061] Dry on a heating plate at 70-90℃ for 2-4 hours;

[0062] A second support layer 50 is formed by coating porous PTFE onto a liquid ionomer. n-Propanol is then sprayed onto the PTFE to promote interfacial interaction between the ionomer layer and the PTFE. Figure 3d As shown;

[0063] Dry on a heating plate at 70℃-90℃ for 60-90 minutes;

[0064] The liquid ionomer is then coated again onto the PTFE using a scraper, positioning it at the center of the membrane, as shown below. Figure 3e As shown, a second ionomer layer 20 is formed;

[0065] Dry on a heating plate at 70-90℃ for 2-4 hours;

[0066] Thus, it was formed Figure 3f The proton exchange membrane 100 of this application is shown.

[0067] Finally, this process includes an acidification step: Figure 3f The proton exchange membrane 100 was immersed in 1.5 mol / L sulfuric acid for 24 hours, and then rinsed with deionized water at room temperature for 24 hours.

[0068] This application also relates to a fuel cell including the above-described proton exchange membrane. In addition to the proton exchange membrane 100, the fuel cell further includes: anode and cathode catalyst layers (70 and 80) respectively bonded to the first and second ionomer layers 10 and 20 of the proton exchange membrane; anode and cathode gas diffusion layer electrodes (60 and 90) respectively located outside the anode and cathode catalyst layers; and anode and cathode bipolar plates respectively located outside the anode and cathode gas diffusion layer electrodes.

[0069] Although some embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover all modifications, substitutions and alterations that fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A proton exchange membrane (100) characterized by include: A first ionomer layer (10) formed by deposition or scraping, a first support layer (40) covering the first ionomer layer (10), an intermediate ionomer layer (30) deposited or scraped on the first support layer (40), a second support layer (50) covering the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and a second ionomer layer (20) deposited or scraped on the second support layer (50).

2. The proton exchange membrane according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the proton exchange membrane is 20±3 μm.

3. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 1, wherein, The first ionomer layer (10), the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and the second ionomer layer (20) are all hydrocarbon ionomer layers.

4. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 1, wherein, Both the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are PTFE layers.

5. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 1, wherein At least one of the following: The combined thickness of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) is 5-10 μm; The sum of the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10), the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and the second ionomer layer (20) is 10-15 μm; The thickness of the first ionomer layer (10) and the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is equal to or the thickness difference is not greater than 3 μm.

6. The proton exchange membrane (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 5 μm and 3 μm, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 2 μm and 4 μm, respectively; the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 4 μm; and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 5 μm and 3 μm, respectively, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3.5 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 3.5 μm, and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 3.5 μm.

7. A proton exchange membrane (100) characterized by, The proton exchange membrane is constructed as a five-layer structure bonded together, the five layers being: a first ionomer layer (10), a first support layer (40), an intermediate ionomer layer (30), a second support layer (50), and a second ionomer layer (20).

8. The proton exchange membrane according to claim 7, characterized in that, The thickness of the proton exchange membrane is 20±3 μm.

9. The proton exchange membrane (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first ionomer layer (10), the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and the second ionomer layer (20) are all hydrocarbon ionomer layers.

10. The proton exchange membrane (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are PTFE layers.

11. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 7, characterized in that At least one of the following: The combined thickness of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) is 5-10 μm; The sum of the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10), the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and the second ionomer layer (20) is 10-15 μm; The thickness of the first ionomer layer (10) and the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is equal to or the thickness difference is not greater than 3 μm.

12. The proton exchange membrane (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 5 μm and 3 μm, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 2 μm and 4 μm, respectively; the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 4 μm; and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 5 μm and 3 μm, respectively, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3.5 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 3.5 μm, and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 3.5 μm.

13. A proton exchange membrane (100) characterized by It includes the following layers arranged in sequence and combined together: a first ionomer layer (10), a first support layer (40), an intermediate ionomer layer (30), a second support layer (50), and a second ionomer layer (20), with a total thickness of 20±3 μm for the proton exchange membrane.

14. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 13, characterized in that, The first ionomer layer (10), the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and the second ionomer layer (20) are all hydrocarbon ionomer layers.

15. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 13, wherein, Both the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are PTFE layers.

16. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 13, wherein At least one of the following: The combined thickness of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) is 5-10 μm; The sum of the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10), the intermediate ionomer layer (30), and the second ionomer layer (20) is 10-15 μm; The thickness of the first ionomer layer (10) and the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is equal to or the thickness difference is not greater than 3 μm.

17. The proton exchange membrane (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 5 μm and 3 μm, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 2 μm and 4 μm, respectively; the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 4 μm; and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 5 μm and 3 μm, respectively, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3.5 μm, the thickness of the intermediate ionomer layer (30) is 3.5 μm, and the thicknesses of the first ionomer layer (10) and the second ionomer layer (20) are 3.5 μm.

18. A proton exchange membrane (100), characterized in that... It includes at least two support layers and at least three hydrocarbon ionomer layers, with the hydrocarbon ionomer layers and support layers arranged alternately and combined together. The two outermost layers are a first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and a second hydrocarbon ionomer layer. The total thickness of the proton exchange membrane is 20±3 μm.

19. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 18, wherein, The at least two support layers include a first support layer (40) and a second support layer (50), both of which are PTFE layers.

20. The proton exchange membrane (100) of claim 19, wherein, The at least three hydrocarbon ionomer layers further include an intermediate hydrocarbon ionomer layer, which includes at least one of the following: The combined thickness of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) is 5-10 μm; The sum of the thicknesses of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer, the intermediate hydrocarbon ionomer layer, and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer is 10-15 μm; The thickness of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the intermediate ionomer layer is equal to or the thickness difference is not greater than 3 μm.

21. The proton exchange membrane (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that, The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3 μm and 4 μm respectively, the thickness of the intermediate hydrocarbon ionomer layer is 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer are 5 μm and 3 μm respectively, or 3 μm and 5 μm respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 2 μm and 4 μm, respectively, the thickness of the intermediate hydrocarbon ionomer layer is 4 μm, and the thicknesses of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer are 5 μm and 3 μm, respectively, or 3 μm and 5 μm, respectively; or The thicknesses of the first support layer (40) and the second support layer (50) are 3.5 μm, the thickness of the intermediate hydrocarbon ionomer layer is 3.5 μm, and the thicknesses of the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer are 3.5 μm, respectively.

22. A fuel cell characterized by include: The proton exchange membrane (100) according to any one of claims 1-17. An anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer respectively bonded to the first ionomer layer and the second ionomer layer; and The anode gas diffusion layer and the cathode gas diffusion layer are located on the outside of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, respectively.

23. A fuel cell characterized by include: The proton exchange membrane (100) according to any one of claims 18-21; An anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer respectively bonded to the first hydrocarbon ionomer layer and the second hydrocarbon ionomer layer; and The anode gas diffusion layer and the cathode gas diffusion layer are located on the outside of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, respectively.

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