Electrode transfer method and electrode positioning jig

Abstract

To provide an electrode transfer method that facilitates positioning of electrodes.SOLUTION: An electrode transfer method for transferring an annular electrode 2 to a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 comprises a first auxiliary material installation step S1 of installing a shaft member 11 on an auxiliary material 4, an anode electrode positioning jig installation step S2 of inserting the shaft member 11 through an anode electrode positioning jig 12, an anode electrode installation step S3 of installing an anode electrode 21, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane installation step S4 of removing the anode electrode positioning jig 12 and installing the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3, a cathode electrode positioning jig installation step S5 of inserting the shaft member 11 through a cathode electrode positioning jig 13, a cathode electrode installation step S6 of installing a cathode electrode 22, a second auxiliary material installation step S7 of removing the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 and installing the shaft member 11 on the auxiliary material 4, a shaft member removal step S8 of extracting the shaft member 11, and a hot press step S9 of heating and pressurizing the electrode 2 from outside of the auxiliary material 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode transfer method and an electrode positioning jig.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it has been known to use a catalyst layer-coated electrolyte membrane (CCM) obtained by arranging and transferring an anode electrode and a cathode electrode on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane for water electrolysis or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using a catalyst layer-coated electrolyte membrane (CCM) for water electrolysis or the like, it may be configured in a cylindrical shape to boost the gas pressure. In this case, it is necessary to arrange the anode electrode and the cathode electrode at corresponding positions with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched therebetween. However, since it is arranged visually, there has been a problem that it is difficult to accurately position them.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) The present invention provides an electrode transfer method for transferring an electrode (e.g., electrode 2) composed of a circular anode electrode (e.g., anode electrode 21) and a cathode electrode (e.g., cathode electrode 22) having a through-hole (e.g., through-holes 21a, 22a) formed in the center to a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (e.g., solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3), the method including a first secondary material installation step (e.g., first secondary material installation step S1) of inserting a shaft member (e.g., shaft member 11) into a secondary material (e.g., secondary material 4) to install the secondary material. an anode electrode positioning jig installation step (e.g., anode electrode positioning jig installation step S2) of inserting the shaft member into an anode electrode positioning jig (e.g., anode electrode positioning jig 12); an anode electrode installation step (e.g., anode electrode installation step S3) of installing the anode electrode around the anode electrode positioning jig; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane installation step (e.g., solid polymer electrolyte membrane installation step S4) of removing the anode electrode positioning jig and installing the solid polymer electrolyte membrane on the anode electrode around the shaft member; a cathode electrode positioning jig installation step (e.g., cathode electrode positioning jig installation step S5) of inserting the shaft member into a cathode electrode positioning jig (e.g., cathode electrode positioning jig 13) on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and a cathode electrode installation step (e.g., cathode electrode installation step S6) of installing the cathode electrode around the cathode electrode positioning jig. the step of removing the cathode electrode positioning jig and inserting the shaft member into the secondary material to install the secondary material on the cathode electrode (e.g., step S6); the step of installing a second secondary material (e.g., step S7) of removing the cathode electrode positioning jig and inserting the shaft member into the secondary material to install the secondary material on the cathode electrode; the step of removing the shaft member (e.g., step S8) of removing the shaft member; and the step of hot pressing (e.g., step S9) of sandwiching the electrode from the outside of the secondary material and applying heat and pressure thereto after the step of removing the shaft member.

[0006] (2) The secondary materials preferably include a buffer material (for example, buffer material 41) and a release material (for example, release material 42).

[0007] (3) The present invention is a jig for positioning an electrode (electrode positioning jig 1) used in the electrode transfer method described in (1) or (2) above. The positioning jig includes the anode electrode positioning jig, the cathode electrode positioning jig, and the shaft member. The anode electrode positioning jig and the cathode electrode positioning jig are related to an electrode positioning jig in which through holes (for example, through holes 12a and 13a) through which the shaft member can be inserted concentrically are formed at the center.

[0008] (4) It is preferable that the thickness dimension of the anode electrode positioning jig is larger than the thickness dimension of the anode electrode, and the thickness dimension of the cathode electrode positioning jig is larger than the thickness dimension of the cathode electrode.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to (1) above, by using the anode electrode positioning jig and the cathode electrode positioning jig that are inserted into the shaft member and are based on the inner circumference of the electrode, the accuracy of the transfer positions of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode arranged with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched therebetween can be improved.

[0010] According to (2) above, since the electrode is sandwiched between the auxiliary materials, the pressure applied to the electrode is likely to be evenly applied, and the electrode can be protected.

[0011] According to (3) above, since the annular electrode can be aligned concentrically with the shaft member and then pulled out, highly accurate alignment can be performed.

[0012] According to (4) above, since the anode electrode positioning jig is thicker than the anode electrode and the cathode electrode positioning jig is thicker than the cathode electrode, after fitting the anode electrode positioning jig and the cathode electrode positioning jig into the through holes of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, it becomes easy to remove. Therefore, positioning can be performed easily and efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a developed view showing the electrode positioning jig of the present embodiment. [Figure 2A] It is a diagram for explaining the first sub-material installation step of the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment. [Figure 2B] It is a diagram for explaining the anode electrode positioning jig installation step and the anode electrode installation step of the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment. [Figure 2C] It is a diagram for explaining the solid polymer electrolyte membrane installation step of the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment. [Figure 2D] It is a diagram for explaining the cathode electrode positioning jig installation step and the cathode electrode installation step of the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment. [Figure 2E] It is a diagram for explaining the second sub-material installation step of the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment. [Figure 2F] It is a diagram for explaining the shaft member removal step and the hot press step of the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode transfer method of the present embodiment is performed using an electrode positioning jig 1 (hereinafter, also referred to as the positioning jig 1). The electrode transfer method arranges an electrode 2 and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) 3 between sub-materials 4, and forms an electrolyte membrane-electrode structure (MEA) while determining the position of the electrode using the positioning jig 1. The positioning jig 1 is not particularly limited in its use as long as it is used when transferring the electrode 2 to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 to form an electrolyte membrane-electrode structure. For example, the electrode transfer method and the positioning jig 1 of the present embodiment may be used in the process of manufacturing a catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) for applications such as water electrolysis and PEM pumps.

[0015] The electrode 2 is a catalyst layer composed of an anode electrode 21 and a cathode electrode 22. Through holes 21a and 22a are respectively formed at the centers thereof, and they are coated on substrates 211 and 221 and are formed in an annular shape. The anode electrode 21 may use, for example, a Ru (ruthenium)-based catalyst, and the cathode electrode 22 may use, for example, a platinum catalyst. Examples of the substrates 211 and 221 include sheets made of Teflon (registered trademark).

[0016] The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 may be, for example, a membrane having a sulfonic acid group composed of perfluorosulfonic acid or the like. A through hole 3a through which a shaft member 11 described later is inserted is formed in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3. The through hole 3a has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 11 so that the shaft member 11 can be inserted therethrough.

[0017] The auxiliary material 4 includes, for example, a buffer material 41 and a release material 42. The buffer material 41 is arranged for the purpose of equalizing the voltage applied to the electrode 2. As the buffer material 41, a sheet-like member having a high bulk and good air permeability is preferably used, and it may be, for example, Fuwatlite (registered trademark). The release material 42 is a sheet-like member used to prevent the buffer material 41 and the electrode 2 from adhering to each other. The release material 42 may be a sheet coated with a release agent, and it may be, for example, a sheet coated with a fluororesin. The release material 42 is arranged between the buffer material 41 and the electrode 2. Through holes 41a and 42a through which the shaft member 11 described later is inserted are formed in the buffer material 41 and the release material 42. The through holes 41a and 42a have an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 11 so that the shaft member 11 can be inserted therethrough. In FIG. 1, the auxiliary material 4 is omitted.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the positioning jig 1 has a shaft member 11, an anode electrode positioning jig 12, and a cathode electrode positioning jig 13 (see FIG. 2D), and is arranged at the centers of the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode 22. The positioning jig 1 may be composed of stainless steel respectively.

[0019] The shaft member 11 is a cylindrical member that can be inserted through the centers of the through-holes 21a, 22a of the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode 22 and through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and is a so-called knock pin.

[0020] 1, the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is a cylindrical member with a through hole 12a formed in the center. The outer diameter of the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the through hole 21a of the anode electrode 21, to an extent that the anode electrode positioning jig 12 can be inserted through the through hole 21a. The outer diameter of the through hole 12a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 11, to an extent that the shaft member 11 can be inserted through the through hole 12a. The thickness of the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is larger than the thickness of the anode electrode 21.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is a cylindrical member with a through hole 13a formed in the center. The outer diameter of the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the through hole 22a of the cathode electrode 22, so that the jig can be inserted through the through hole 22a. The outer diameter of the through hole 13a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 11, so that the shaft member 11 can be inserted through the through hole 13a. The thickness of the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is larger than the thickness of the anode electrode 21.

[0022] The anode electrode positioning jig 12 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 are arranged so that the shaft member 11 is inserted concentrically through the through holes 12a, 13a. The outer diameters and thicknesses of the anode electrode positioning jig 12 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 may be the same or different. In this embodiment, comparing FIGS. 2B and 2D , the anode electrode positioning jig 12 has a smaller outer diameter and is thicker than the cathode electrode positioning jig 13. The dimensions of the anode electrode positioning jig 12 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 are set appropriately depending on the shapes of the through holes 12a, 13a in the electrode 2 and the thickness of the electrode 2.

[0023] An electrode transfer method using the positioning jig 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, a release material 42 is laid on a cushioning material 41, and the shaft member 11 is inserted at a position determined as the center, and the secondary material 4 is placed thereon (first secondary material placing step S1).

[0024] Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the shaft member 11 is inserted into the through-hole 12a of the anode electrode positioning jig 12, and the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is installed (anode electrode positioning jig installation step S2).

[0025] Next, the anode electrode 21 is installed by fitting the anode electrode positioning jig 12 into the through-hole 21a of the anode electrode 21 around the anode electrode positioning jig 12 (anode electrode installation step S3).

[0026] Next, as shown in Fig. 2C, the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is removed from the state shown in Fig. 2B. Then, while the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is placed on the anode electrode 21, the shaft member 11 is inserted into the through-hole 3a of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 is placed around the shaft member 11 (solid polymer electrolyte membrane placing step S4).

[0027] Next, as shown in FIG. 2D, the shaft member 11 is inserted into the through-hole 13a of the cathode electrode positioning jig 13, and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is installed on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 (cathode electrode positioning jig installation step S5).

[0028] Next, the cathode electrode 22 is installed by fitting the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 into the through-hole 22a of the cathode electrode 22 around the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 (cathode electrode installation step S6).

[0029] Next, as shown in Fig. 2E, the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is removed from the state shown in Fig. 2D. Then, the secondary material 4 is placed on the cathode electrode 22 by inserting the shaft member 11 into the central through-holes 42a, 41a of the release material 42 and the buffer material 41 (second secondary material placing step S7).

[0030] Next, as shown in FIG. 2F, the shaft member 11 is removed (shaft member removal step S8). Then, after the shaft member removal step S8, with the auxiliary material 4, the anode electrode 21, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3, the cathode electrode 22, and the auxiliary material 4 laminated, heating and pressing are performed while sandwiching the electrode 2 from the outside of the auxiliary material 4 (hot press step S9).

[0031] According to the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved. (1) An electrode transfer method of transferring the electrode 2 composed of the annular anode electrode 21 and cathode electrode 22 having the through holes 21a and 22a formed at the center to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 includes a first auxiliary material installation step S1 of inserting the shaft member 11 into the auxiliary material 4 and installing the auxiliary material 4, an anode electrode positioning jig installation step S2 of inserting the shaft member 11 into the anode electrode positioning jig 12, an anode electrode installation step S3 of installing the anode electrode 21 around the anode electrode positioning jig 12, removing the anode electrode positioning jig 12, and installing the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 around the shaft member 11 on the anode electrode 21 (solid polymer electrolyte membrane installation step S4), on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3, inserting the shaft member 11 into the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 (cathode electrode positioning jig installation step S5), a cathode electrode installation step S6 of installing the cathode electrode 22 around the cathode electrode positioning jig 13, removing the cathode electrode positioning jig 13, and installing the auxiliary material 4 by inserting the shaft member 11 into the auxiliary material 4 on the cathode electrode 22 (second auxiliary material installation step S7), a shaft member removal step S8 of removing the shaft member 11, and a hot press step S9 of heating and pressing while sandwiching the electrode 2 from the outside of the auxiliary material 4 after the shaft member removal step S8. By using the anode electrode positioning jig 12 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 inserted through the shaft member 11 and based on the inner circumference of the electrode 2, the accuracy of the transfer positions of the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode 22 arranged with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 3 therebetween can be improved.

[0032] (2) According to this embodiment, the auxiliary material 4 is configured to include a buffer material 41 and a release material 42. When the electrode 2 is sandwiched between the auxiliary materials 4, the pressure applied to the electrode 2 is likely to be evenly applied, and the electrode 2 can be protected.

[0033] (3) According to this embodiment, the electrode positioning jig 1 used in the electrode transfer method described in (1) or (2) above is configured to include an anode electrode positioning jig 12, a cathode electrode positioning jig 13, and a shaft member 11. The anode electrode positioning jig 12 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 are configured such that through holes 12a and 13a through which the shaft member 11 can be inserted concentrically are formed at the center. Since the annular electrode 2 can be concentrically aligned with the shaft member 11 and then pulled out, highly accurate alignment can be performed.

[0034] (4) According to this embodiment, the thickness dimension of the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is made larger than the thickness dimension of the anode electrode 21, and the thickness dimension of the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is made larger than the thickness dimension of the cathode electrode 22. Since the anode electrode positioning jig 12 is thicker than the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 is thicker than the cathode electrode 22, after fitting the anode electrode positioning jig 12 and the cathode electrode positioning jig 13 into the through holes 21a and 22a of the anode electrode 21 and the cathode electrode 22, it becomes easy to remove. Therefore, positioning can be performed easily and efficiently.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 Positioning jig 2 Electrode 3 Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 4 Auxiliary material 11 Shaft member 12 Anode electrode positioning jig 12a Through hole 13 Cathode electrode positioning jig 13a Through hole 21 Anode electrode 21a Through-hole 22 Cathode electrode 22a Through-hole 41 Buffer material 42 Release material

Claims

1. An electrode transfer method for transferring an electrode composed of an annular anode electrode and a cathode electrode with a through hole formed in the center to a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, comprising: a first auxiliary material installation step of inserting a shaft member through an auxiliary material and installing the auxiliary material; an anode electrode positioning jig installation step of inserting the shaft member through a positioning jig for the anode electrode; an anode electrode installation step of installing the anode electrode around the positioning jig for the anode electrode; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane installation step of removing the positioning jig for the anode electrode and installing the solid polymer electrolyte membrane around the shaft member on the anode electrode; a cathode electrode positioning jig installation step of inserting the shaft member through a positioning jig for the cathode electrode on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; a cathode electrode installation step of installing the cathode electrode around the positioning jig for the cathode electrode; a second auxiliary material installation step of removing the positioning jig for the cathode electrode and installing the auxiliary material by inserting the shaft member through the auxiliary material on the cathode electrode; a shaft member removal step of extracting the shaft member; a hot press step of heating and pressing the electrode while sandwiching it from the outside of the auxiliary material after the shaft member removal step. An electrode transfer method.

2. The electrode transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary material includes a buffer material and a release material.

3. A jig for positioning an electrode used in the electrode transfer method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: the positioning jig includes the positioning jig for the anode electrode, the positioning jig for the cathode electrode, and the shaft member; the positioning jig for the anode electrode and the positioning jig for the cathode electrode are provided with a through hole through which the shaft member can be inserted concentrically at the center. A jig for positioning an electrode.

4. The thickness dimension of the positioning jig for the anode electrode is larger than the thickness dimension of the anode electrode; The thickness dimension of the positioning jig for the cathode electrode is larger than the thickness dimension of the cathode electrode. The jig for positioning an electrode according to claim 3.

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