Electrode catalyst layer evaluation device, electrode catalyst layer evaluation method, and program

Abstract

To provide an electrode catalyst layer evaluation apparatus, a method for evaluating an electrode catalyst layer, and a program, which can more effectively suppress cost and work man-hours.SOLUTION: An electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 includes: an acquisition unit 112 for acquiring hardness and loss tangent tanδ of an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell; and a crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 for estimating the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer on the basis of the hardness and the loss tangent tanδ acquired by the acquisition unit 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode catalyst layer evaluation device, an electrode catalyst layer evaluation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for inspecting the catalyst layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell for cracks that occur during the process of applying and drying a so-called catalyst ink. Patent Document 1 is an example of this type of technique. Patent Document 1 describes an inspection device that includes a diffused illumination unit, a mechanism for placing a mask close to the diffused front unit, a camera for capturing an image of the diffused light that is emitted from the diffused front unit and passes through an opening in the mask and passes through an inspection object coated with an electrode, and a mechanism for binarizing the image and determining whether the coating defect is good or bad. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-225059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the evaluation (inspection) method described in Patent Document 1, preparation of samples and inspection equipment, etc., and labor hours are required each time an evaluation is performed, and there has been a demand for an evaluation method that can reduce the costs and labor hours required for evaluation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode catalyst layer evaluation device, an electrode catalyst layer evaluation method, and a program that can further reduce costs and labor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell, and a crack occurrence rate estimation unit that estimates the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device (1) can further reduce costs and labor.

[0008] (2) In the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device described in (1), the crack occurrence rate estimation unit estimates the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on correlation information previously acquired between the hardness and the loss tangent tanδ and the crack occurrence rate.

[0009] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device (2) can perform evaluation more easily and with higher accuracy while reducing costs and labor.

[0010] (3) The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device according to (1) or (2) further includes a measurement unit that measures the hardness and the loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer, and the acquisition unit acquires the hardness and the loss tangent tanδ from the measurement unit.

[0011] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device (3) can perform evaluation more easily and with higher accuracy while reducing costs and labor.

[0012] (4) In the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device described in (3), the measurement unit is a nanoindentation tester.

[0013] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device (4) can perform evaluation more simply and with higher accuracy while reducing costs and man-hours.

[0014] (5) The electrode catalyst layer evaluation method of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell, and a crack occurrence rate estimation step of estimating the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ.

[0015] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation method (5) can further reduce costs and labor.

[0016] (6) The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute an acquisition function for acquiring the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell, and a crack occurrence rate estimation function for estimating the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ.

[0017] Program (6) can further reduce costs and labor hours. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrode catalyst layer evaluation device, an electrode catalyst layer evaluation method, and a program that can further reduce costs and man-hours. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electrode catalyst layer evaluation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an electrode catalyst layer evaluation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a correlation map between hardness and tan δ and the crack occurrence rate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a method for evaluating an electrode catalyst layer according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] <Electrode catalyst layer evaluation device> An electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 is a device for evaluating an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell as a sample. Examples of fuel cells include solid polymer fuel cells. The electrode catalyst layer will be described as a catalyst layer included in an electrode in a solid polymer fuel cell. The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention estimates and evaluates the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell. The crack occurrence rate is the occupancy rate of cracks within the surface of the object to be measured. The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 estimates the crack occurrence rate in order to evaluate cracks and the like that occur during the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes.

[0021] An example of the hardware configuration of an electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 is a device that evaluates the crack occurrence rate of an electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ. As shown in Fig. 1, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 includes a processor 100, a read-only memory (ROM) 101, a random access memory (RAM) 102, a bus 103, an input / output interface 104, an input unit 105, an output unit 106, a storage unit 107, a measurement unit 108, and a power supply unit 109.

[0022] The processor 100 is the central part of a computer that performs processing such as calculations and controls required for the operation of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10, and performs various calculations and processing.

[0023] The processor 100 controls each unit to realize various functions of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 101, RAM 102, etc. The processor 100 executes processing based on the programs. Note that part or all of the programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 100.

[0024] The processor 100, ROM 101, and RAM 102 are connected to one another via a bus 103. An input / output interface 104 is also connected to this bus 103. An input unit 105, an output unit 106, a memory unit 107, a measurement unit 108, and a power supply unit 109 are connected to the input / output interface 104.

[0025] The input unit 105 and output unit 106 are user interfaces electrically connected to the input / output interface 104 via wire or wirelessly. The input unit 105 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs various information in response to user instructions. The output unit 106 is composed of, for example, a display for displaying images and a speaker for amplifying audio, and outputs images and audio.

[0026] The storage unit 107 is an auxiliary storage device configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The storage unit 107 stores various information such as programs related to various processes and setting values. The storage unit 107 stores, for example, a program for calculating the hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity (to be described later), and data on correlation information previously confirmed between the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell and the crack occurrence rate. Details of the correlation information will be described later.

[0027] The measuring unit 108 is configured to measure the hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity of a sample. The measuring unit 108 is configured, for example, by various measuring devices capable of measuring hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity. The measuring unit 108 according to this embodiment is a nanoindentation tester capable of measuring hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity. A nanoindentation tester is also called a nanoindenter or a microhardness tester. When the measuring unit 108 is a nanoindentation tester, even if the sample, i.e., the electrode catalyst layer, is a thin film, it can be measured more easily and with high accuracy. Note that the measuring unit 108 is not limited to a nanoindentation tester, and may be configured by a known hardness tester and dynamic viscoelasticity measuring device.

[0028] The measuring unit 108 according to this embodiment can measure the hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity of a sample by nanoindentation. The measuring unit 108 includes, for example, a sample stage (not shown) for holding and fixing the sample, an indenter (not shown) having, for example, a triangular pyramidal shape, a driving unit (not shown) for moving the indenter relative to the sample stage, a control unit (not shown) for controlling the driving unit, and a detection unit capable of detecting load and displacement.

[0029] The power supply unit 109 is configured to be connected to an external power supply so as to be able to supply power to each unit of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10. Note that the configuration capable of supplying power to the power supply is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a battery.

[0030] Next, the functional configuration of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. A control unit 110 that performs various controls of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 is realized by a processor 100 (described later) that performs arithmetic processing, executing programs stored in a ROM 101, a RAM 102, a storage unit 107, etc. The control unit 110 of this embodiment has a measurement processing unit (measurement processing function) 111, an acquisition unit (acquisition function) 112, and a crack occurrence rate estimation unit (crack occurrence rate estimation function) 113.

[0031] The measurement processing unit 111 executes measurement control and calculation processing. During measurement control, the measurement processing unit 111 controls the measurement operation by the measurement unit 108 to measure the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell. For example, the measurement processing unit 111 according to this embodiment drives the drive unit based on load information and displacement information detected by the detection unit so that the indenter presses the sample, thereby obtaining drive information, load information, and displacement information for the drive unit, so that the measurement operation conforms to the nanoindentation method or the like.

[0032] In addition, even if the measuring unit 108 is a measuring device other than an indentation tester, the measurement processing unit 111 performs measurement control of the measuring unit 108 appropriate for each device so that the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell can be measured.

[0033] During the calculation process, the measurement processing unit 111 executes a process of calculating hardness information, elastic modulus information, and dynamic viscoelasticity information based on drive information of the drive unit during measurement operation acquired by the measurement processing unit 111 and load information and displacement information detected by the detection unit when the drive unit is driven. The dynamic viscoelasticity information includes storage elastic modulus information, loss elastic modulus information, and loss tangent tanδ information.

[0034] Even when the measuring unit 108 is a measuring device other than an indentation tester, if measurement control of the measuring unit 108 is necessary, the measurement processing unit 111 may perform measurement control of the measuring unit 108 appropriate for each device so that the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell can be measured. Even when the measuring unit 108 is a measuring device other than an indentation tester, the measurement processing unit 111 may calculate hardness information and loss tangent tanδ information if calculation processing is necessary.

[0035] The acquisition unit 112 executes a process of acquiring information on the hardness and loss tangent tan δ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell calculated by the measurement processing unit 111 .

[0036] The crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 executes a mapping process and a crack occurrence rate estimation process. During the mapping process, the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 executes a process of mapping the hardness information and loss tangent tanδ information acquired by the acquisition unit 112 onto a correlation map as shown in FIG. 3, with the vertical axis representing the loss tangent tanδ and the horizontal axis representing the hardness. FIG. 3 is an example of a graph in which the same sample is measured by the measurement unit 108, and the hardness and tanδ are acquired and mapped. The vertical axis of the graph represents tanδ, and the horizontal axis represents the hardness [MPa]. The example in FIG. 3 shows Sample 1 with a crack occurrence rate of 0.09%, Sample 2 with a crack occurrence rate of 0.72%, and Sample 3 with a crack occurrence rate of 13.65%.

[0037] The water-alcohol ratio and the carbon solid content ratio of the electrode layer were kept the same in the catalyst ink compositions of Samples 1 to 3, and the hardness and tan δ were adjusted by changing the solvent ratio of the catalyst inks of Samples 1 to 3 and the type of carbon contained in the catalyst ink.

[0038] The solvent for all of Samples 1 to 3 was a solvent composed of pure water, ethanol, and 1-propanol. The ratio of pure water, ethanol, and 1-propanol in the ink solvent for Sample 1 was 50:40:10. The ratio of pure water, ethanol, and 1-propanol in the ink solvent for Sample 2 was 50:25:25. The ratio of pure water, ethanol, and 1-propanol in the ink solvent for Sample 3 was 50:25:25. Note that the ratios of each solvent above are by weight.

[0039] The type of carbon contained in the catalyst ink of Sample 1 was the same as the type of carbon contained in the catalyst ink of Sample 2. The type of carbon contained in the catalyst ink of Sample 3 was different from the type of carbon contained in the catalyst ink of Sample 1 and Sample 2.

[0040] The crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 acquires the above-described correlation information stored in the storage unit 107 when executing the crack occurrence rate estimation process. Next, the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 estimates the crack occurrence rate based on the hardness information and loss tangent tan δ information acquired by the acquisition unit 112 and the correlation information. In this embodiment, the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 executes a process of estimating the crack occurrence rate for each measurement point on the correlation map created by the mapping process, based on the hardness information and loss tangent tan δ information acquired by the acquisition unit 112 and information on the correlation previously confirmed between the hardness and loss tangent tan δ and the crack occurrence rate. The estimated crack occurrence rate is associated with the measurement points on the created correlation map, as in the correlation map of FIG. 3.

[0041] In this embodiment, the measurement results are mapped onto a correlation map, and the crack occurrence rate is estimated for each mapped measurement result based on the correlation information. This allows the evaluation results to be visually confirmed, improving the workability of the evaluation. However, the crack occurrence rate may also be estimated directly based on the correlation information without mapping the measurement results onto a correlation map.

[0042] Here, conventionally, the crack occurrence rate has been confirmed based on a binarized image of a coated sample on a light board, but the present inventors have found through research, including studies and experiments, that there is a correlation between hardness and loss tangent tanδ and the crack occurrence rate. Specifically, by plotting the hardness on the horizontal axis and the loss tangent tanδ on the vertical axis, and then correlating the results with the crack occurrence rate, they have found that there is a correlation between hardness and loss tangent tanδ and the crack occurrence rate.

[0043] For example, as shown in Figure 3, it was found that the harder the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell and the higher the loss tangent tanδ, the smaller the crack occurrence rate. In the example of Figure 3, it can be seen that Sample 3 has a harder electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell and a higher loss tangent tanδ compared to Sample 3, and therefore has a higher crack occurrence rate than Sample 1 or Sample 2.

[0044] Therefore, by obtaining correlation information between hardness and tanδ and the crack occurrence rate in advance, and then obtaining the hardness and loss tangent tanδ by measurement in the evaluation of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell, it is possible to evaluate the crack occurrence rate without confirming it using the conventional method described above.

[0045] Therefore, since there is a correlation between hardness and loss tangent tanδ and the crack occurrence rate, the crack occurrence rate can also be determined based on the range of hardness and loss tangent tanδ corresponding to the crack occurrence rate.

[0046] For example, if the threshold for determining the quality of an electrode catalyst layer of a fuel cell is set to a crack occurrence rate of 1%, the quality of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell can be determined using the criteria of hardness of 30 MPa and loss tangent tanδ of 0.12, which correspond to a crack occurrence rate of 1%.

[0047] Specifically, the measurement results are checked to see if the hardness is 30 MPa or more and the loss tangent tanδ is 0.12 or more. If the hardness is 30 MPa or more and the loss tangent tanδ is 0.12 or more, the quality is deemed to be acceptable; if the hardness is not 30 MPa or more and the loss tangent tanδ is not 0.12, the quality is deemed to be unacceptable.

[0048] When the measurement results show a hardness of 30 MPa or more and a loss tangent tanδ of 0.12 or more, this falls into region A, where the hardness is 30 MPa or more and the loss tangent tanδ is 0.12 or more, in the example of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, Sample 1 and Sample 2, which are measurement results in region A, have a crack occurrence rate of less than 1%, while Sample 3, which is a measurement result outside region A, has a crack occurrence rate of 1% or more, indicating that quality can be determined.

[0049] The correlation information is obtained by, for example, associating the crack occurrence rate previously confirmed by a conventional method with the hardness and loss tangent tanδ previously measured for the same sample.

[0050] Furthermore, the method of acquiring correlation information is not limited to this. For example, hardness and loss tangent tanδ are used as input data, and the crack occurrence rate corresponding to the hardness and loss tangent tanδ are used as labels. Supervised learning can be performed using the pair of input data and label as training data, thereby allowing machine learning to construct a learning model as correlation information for evaluating the crack occurrence rate for the input data of hardness and loss tangent tanδ.

[0051] <Electrode catalyst layer evaluation method> Next, an electrode catalyst layer evaluation method executed by the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation method includes an acquisition step (step S11) and a crack occurrence rate estimation step (step S13). The electrode catalyst layer evaluation method may also include a measurement step (step S10), a mapping step (step S12), and a result output step (step S14).

[0052] The measurement step (step S10) is a step of measuring the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell. Specifically, it is a step of measuring the hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell. In this embodiment, in the measurement step (step S10), the hardness, elastic modulus, and dynamic viscoelasticity of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell are measured by the measuring unit 108 of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10. As described above, the dynamic viscoelasticity includes the loss tangent tanδ.

[0053] The acquisition step (step S11) is a step of acquiring hardness information and loss tangent tanδ information of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell measured by the measurement unit 108. The acquisition step (step S11) is executed by the acquisition unit 112 of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10.

[0054] The mapping step (step S12) is a step of creating a correlation map based on the hardness information and loss tangent tanδ information of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell measured by the measurement unit 108. The mapping step (step S12) is executed by the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10.

[0055] The crack occurrence rate estimation step (step S13) is a step of estimating and associating the crack occurrence rate for each measurement point mapped on the correlation map based on correlation information, as shown in Fig. 3. The crack occurrence rate estimation step (step S13) is executed by the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10.

[0056] The result output step (step S14) is a step of outputting the estimated result of the crack occurrence rate in the crack occurrence rate estimation step (step S13). For example, in the result output step (step S14), a correlation map in which the crack occurrence rate is associated with each measurement point in the crack occurrence rate estimation step (step S13) may be displayed on the display of the output unit 106 of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10, or a measurement result table listing each measurement point and the crack occurrence rate may be displayed. Note that the form of result output is not limited to this. The result output step (step S14) is executed by the output unit 106 of the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10.

[0057] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to the present embodiment described above provides the following advantages: Conventionally, the occurrence of cracks in a membrane electrode of a fuel cell has been measured by binarizing a photograph of the electrode placed on a light board, detecting cracks based on the binarized photograph, and calculating the crack occupancy rate within the surface from the detection results.

[0058] This method requires that the coating be applied, placed on a light board, and photographed for each check, then binarized, which requires a certain amount of material cost and labor for the inspection to calculate the crack occupancy rate.In addition, this method involves a qualitative judgment of the crack occurrence rate from the binarized image, and cannot be evaluated quantitatively, so there is a risk of variation between workers.

[0059] Here, a study was conducted for quantitative evaluation. The main factors that caused cracks in the membrane electrode were identified as electrode layer thickness, coarse particles, membrane-electrode interface, and electrode strength. Of these, electrode strength could not be adequately quantified due to the following reasons, and the extent of its influence could not be fully understood.

[0060] Known methods for measuring electrode strength include peel testing and strength evaluation using the SAICAS (Surface and Interfacial Cutting Analysis System) method.

[0061] However, the peel test had the problem that the adhesive strength between the electrode, film, and electrode interface during measurement was weak, leading to large variations and prone to measurement errors. Furthermore, peeling between the electrode, film, and electrode interface could occur during the pretreatment stage, resulting in unreliable data. This made it difficult to correlate the crack occurrence rate with the measurement results. Furthermore, the strength evaluation using the SAICAS method only provided shear strength, which meant there was insufficient data to consider the physical properties of the electrode other than the presence or absence of cracks.

[0062] However, in order to solve these problems and quantitatively evaluate the physical properties of electrodes, the inventors of the present invention plotted hardness on the horizontal axis and loss tangent tanδ on the vertical axis, mapped the measurement results, and found a correlation with the crack occurrence rate. This revealed a correlation between hardness and loss tangent tanδ and the crack occurrence rate, leading to the completion of the present invention. As a result, it became possible to quantify electrode strength using high-precision measurement results, for example, using a nanoindentation tester, and estimate the effect of this electrode strength on crack occurrence in direct-coated electrodes.

[0063] Furthermore, because it became possible to estimate the crack occurrence rate simply by obtaining the physical property values ​​of the sample, it became unnecessary to confirm the crack occurrence rate as in the past, by coating it on a film, photographing it on a light board, and then binarizing it. This made it possible to reduce the cost of materials required for confirmation and the number of work steps. Furthermore, it eliminated the variability between operators that was included in the conventional method of confirming the crack occurrence rate, further improving accuracy.

[0064] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 112 that acquires the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell, and a crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 that estimates the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ acquired by the acquisition unit 112.

[0065] As a result, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment can further reduce costs and work steps.

[0066] Furthermore, in the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment, the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113 estimates the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on correlation information previously acquired between the hardness and loss tangent tanδ and the crack occurrence rate.

[0067] As a result, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment can perform evaluation more simply and with higher accuracy, while reducing costs and the number of work steps.

[0068] The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a measurement unit 108 that measures the hardness and loss tangent tan δ of the electrode catalyst layer, and the acquisition unit 112 acquires the hardness and loss tangent tan δ from the measurement unit 108.

[0069] As a result, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment can perform evaluation more simply and with higher accuracy, while reducing costs and the number of work steps.

[0070] In the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment, the measurement unit 108 is a nanoindentation tester.

[0071] As a result, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to this embodiment can perform evaluation more simply and with higher accuracy, while reducing costs and the number of work steps.

[0072] Furthermore, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation method according to this embodiment includes an acquisition step (step S12) of acquiring the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell, and a crack occurrence rate estimation step (step S14) of estimating the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ.

[0073] As a result, the electrode catalyst layer evaluation method according to this embodiment can further reduce costs and man-hours.

[0074] In addition, the program according to this embodiment causes the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 as a computer to execute an acquisition function 112 for acquiring the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell, and a crack occurrence rate estimation function 113 for estimating the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and loss tangent tanδ.

[0075] As a result, the program according to this embodiment can further reduce costs and man-hours.

[0076] [Variations] It should be noted that the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 according to the above embodiment includes the measurement unit 108, the measurement processing unit 111 of the control unit 110, the acquisition unit 112, and the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113, but is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of devices may each include the measurement unit 108, the measurement processing unit 111 of the control unit 110, the acquisition unit 112, and the crack occurrence rate estimation unit 113.

[0077] The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configuration of FIG. 2 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 10 is provided with a function that can execute the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example of FIG. 2. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0078] The functional configuration in this embodiment is realized by a processor that executes arithmetic processing, and processors that can be used in this embodiment include those that are composed of various processing devices alone, such as single processors, multiprocessors, and multicore processors, as well as those that combine these various processing devices with processing circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays).

[0079] When a series of processes is executed by software, the programs that make up the software are installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer built into dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the computer may be a computer that can execute various functions by installing various programs, such as a general-purpose personal computer.

[0080] The recording medium containing such a program may be configured as a removable medium separate from the device main body to provide the program to the user, or may be configured as a recording medium provided to the user in a state where it is pre-installed in the device main body. Removable media may be configured, for example, as a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk. Optical disks may be configured, for example, as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc. Magneto-optical disks may be configured, for example, as a Mini-Disk (MD). Furthermore, a recording medium provided to the user in a state where it is pre-installed in the device main body may be configured, for example, as the ROM 101 in FIG. 1 on which the program is recorded, or a hard disk included in the storage unit 107.

[0081] In this specification, the steps of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium include not only processes that are performed chronologically in accordance with the order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically but are performed in parallel or individually.

[0082] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can take on various other embodiments, and various modifications such as omissions and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention described in this specification, etc., and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10. Electrode catalyst layer evaluation device 112 Acquisition Department 113 Crack occurrence rate estimation section

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell; a crack occurrence rate estimation unit that estimates a crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and the loss tangent tan δ acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. 2. The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the crack occurrence rate estimation unit estimates the crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on correlation information obtained in advance between the hardness and the loss tangent tanδ, and the crack occurrence rate.

3. a measuring unit that measures the hardness and the loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer, The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the hardness and the loss tangent tan δ from the measurement unit.

4. The electrode catalyst layer evaluation device according to claim 3 , wherein the measurement unit is a nanoindentation tester.

5. an acquisition step of acquiring the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell; and a crack occurrence rate estimation step of estimating a crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and the loss tangent tan δ.

6. An acquisition function for acquiring the hardness and loss tangent tanδ of the electrode catalyst layer of the fuel cell; a crack occurrence rate estimation function of estimating a crack occurrence rate of the electrode catalyst layer based on the hardness and the loss tangent tan δ.

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