Electrochemical cell unit

Abstract

This electrochemical cell unit is provided with an electrochemical cell and a pressing member. The electrochemical cell includes: a first electrode which has an absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide; a second electrode; and an insulating layer which is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The pressing member is positioned on the opposite side from the insulating layer across the first electrode, and presses the electrochemical cell.

Description

Electrochemical Cell Unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell unit.

[0002] Electrochemical cells are known that capture and reuse carbon dioxide in a gas.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0183872 JP 2022-67545 A

[0004] According to one embodiment, the electrochemical cell unit includes an electrochemical cell and a pressing member. The electrochemical cell includes a first electrode having an absorbent material for absorbing carbon dioxide, a second electrode, and an insulating layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The pressing member is located on the opposite side of the insulating layer across the first electrode and presses the electrochemical cell.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another example of a pressing member included in an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment.

[0006] The above-mentioned electrochemical cells have room for improvement, for example, in terms of reliability during actual use.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide an electrochemical cell unit that can improve reliability.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electrochemical cell unit disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] It should also be noted that the drawings are schematic and that the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements may differ from reality. Furthermore, the drawings may contain parts whose dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another.

[0010] For ease of understanding, Fig. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z-axis, with the vertically upward direction being the positive direction and the vertically downward direction being the negative direction. This Cartesian coordinate system may also be shown in other drawings used in the following explanation. Furthermore, components similar to those in the electrochemical cell unit shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0011] [Embodiment] <Configuration of Electrochemical Cell Unit> Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell unit according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, an electrochemical cell may be simply referred to as a cell. An electrochemical cell unit may also be simply referred to as a cell unit.

[0012] 1, the cell unit 100 includes a cell 1 and a pressing member 40. The cell 1 includes a first electrode 10, a second electrode 20, and an insulating layer 30. The first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 face each other with the insulating layer 30 sandwiched therebetween.

[0013] The cell 1 recovers carbon dioxide from a gas. The cell 1 is connected to a power supply (not shown) that applies a voltage between a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 20. The cell 1 is an electrochemical cell that can repeatedly adsorb and desorb carbon dioxide by switching the voltage applied between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20.

[0014] The first electrode 10 is a negative electrode to which electrons are supplied from the second electrode 20 in the adsorption mode in which the cell 1 adsorbs carbon dioxide.

[0015] The first electrode 10 is a porous conductive material through which a gas containing carbon dioxide can pass. For example, a metal material obtained by processing a metal such as Al or Ni into a mesh shape can be used as the first electrode 10.

[0016] The first electrode 10 has an absorbent 10a. The absorbent 10a is a CO ２ The absorbent 10a is an absorbent material. The absorbent 10a can adsorb and desorb carbon dioxide using an oxidation-reduction reaction. The absorbent 10a combines with carbon dioxide in the gas in a reduced state and adsorbs the carbon dioxide. The absorbent 10a also desorbs and releases carbon dioxide in an oxidized state.

[0017] The absorber 10a may be made of, for example, quinones, imines, imides, or derivatives thereof. For example, polyanthraquinone may be used as the quinone, polydiazaphthalimide as the imine, or polybenzothiadiazole as the imine. The polyanthraquinone may be, for example, poly(1,4-anthraquinone), poly(1,5-anthraquinone), poly(1,8-anthraquinone), or poly(2,6-anthraquinone).

[0018] The absorber 10 a may be located inside the first electrode 10 or on the surface of the first electrode 10 facing the insulating layer 30 .

[0019] The second electrode 20 is a positive electrode that emits electrons to the first electrode 10 in the adsorption mode in which the cell 1 adsorbs carbon dioxide.

[0020] The second electrode 20 is, for example, a plate-shaped metal member. As the second electrode 20, for example, a metal plate obtained by processing a metal such as Al into a plate shape can be used.

[0021] The second electrode 20 may have an electron donor material 20a. The electron donor material 20a can transfer electrons between the second electrode 20 and the first electrode 10 by utilizing an oxidation-reduction reaction. The electron donor material 20a releases electrons in the adsorption mode. Furthermore, the electron donor material 20a attracts electrons in the desorption mode in which the cell 1 desorbs carbon dioxide.

[0022] As the material of the electron donor material 20a, for example, a metal complex, an organic compound, an inorganic compound, a carbon material, etc. can be used. As the metal complex that can be used as the material of the electron donor material 20a, for example, ferrocene, nickelocene, cobaltocene, etc. can be used. These metal complexes may be polymers or monomers. Furthermore, as the organic compound that can be used as the material of the electron donor material 20a, for example, poly(3-(4-fluorophenyl)thiophene), phenothiazine, etc. can be used, and as the inorganic compound, for example, RuO ２ , MnO ２ , MoS ２ The carbon material may be, for example, carbon black, activated carbon, etc. The electron donor material 20 a may be located on the surface of the second electrode 20 facing the insulating layer 30 .

[0023] The insulating layer 30 is located between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20. The insulating layer 30 is a separator that prevents a short circuit between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20. For example, a porous separator can be used as the insulating layer 30. The material of the insulating layer 30 may be, for example, a porous resin or ceramic body.

[0024] An electrolyte 30a is located in the insulating layer 30. As the electrolyte 30a, for example, an electrolytic solution having fluidity can be used. The electrolytic solution may include an ionic liquid. The electrolytic solution may be an ionic liquid.

[0025] The pressing member 40 is located on the opposite side of the insulating layer 30 with the first electrode 10 sandwiched between them. By pressing the cell 1, the pressing member 40 can reduce the occurrence of peeling or lifting of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 of the cell 1 due to temperature changes, application of voltage, etc. This improves the reliability of the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0026] The pressing member 40 is, for example, a metal member having a desired rigidity. For example, stainless steel (SUS) can be used as the pressing member 40. The detailed shape of the pressing member 40 will be described later.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell unit according to the embodiment.

[0028] 2, in the cell unit 100, the first electrode 10 of the cell 1 may have a first member 11 and a second member 12. The first member 11 and the second member 12 may be positioned to face each other with the second electrode 20 interposed therebetween.

[0029] The insulating layer 30 may have a first insulating layer 31 located between the first member 11 and the second electrode 20 , and a second insulating layer 32 located between the second member 12 and the second electrode 20 .

[0030] In addition, the pressing member 40 may have a first pressing member 41 located on the opposite side of the first insulating layer 31 across the first member 11, and a second pressing member 42 located on the opposite side of the second insulating layer 32 across the second member 12.

[0031] In this way, the first electrode 10 has the first member 11 and the second member 12, so that the absolute amount of carbon dioxide that the cell 1 can recover increases.

[0032] Furthermore, the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment may be pressed by pressing members 40 located on both sides of the cell 1. The cell unit 100 according to this embodiment can further reduce the occurrence of peeling or lifting of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 of the cell 1 due to temperature changes, application of voltage, etc. This further improves the reliability of the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0033] <Configuration of Pressing Member> FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a pressing member included in the electrochemical cell unit according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3 , the pressing member 40 may have a first convex portion 401 that protrudes toward the first electrode 10. The first convex portion 401 may be in contact with the first electrode 10. That is, the first electrode 10 may be pressed by the first convex portion 401 of the pressing member 40. A cell unit 100 including such a pressing member 40 can reduce the occurrence of peeling or lifting of the first electrode 10 or the second electrode 20 of the cell 1 due to temperature changes, application of voltage, and the like. This improves the reliability of the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0034] Furthermore, a space corresponding to the height of the first convex portion 401 may be formed between the first electrode 10 and the pressing member 40. Gas containing carbon dioxide can be passed through this space, increasing the chance of contact between the first electrode 10 and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment improves the carbon dioxide adsorption performance.

[0035] Furthermore, the first convex portion 401 may have multiple protrusions 401a to 401d extending radially outward from the center 40P of the pressing member 40 in a planar view. The central portion of the cell 1, which overlaps with the center 40P of the pressing member 40 in a planar view, is more likely to expand and contract than other portions of the cell 1. The cell unit 100 according to this embodiment can further reduce peeling and lifting of the first electrode 10 or second electrode 20 of the cell 1 due to temperature changes, application of voltage, etc. This further improves the reliability of the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0036] Furthermore, when a space is formed between the first electrode 10 and the pressing member 40, a gas containing carbon dioxide may be flowed through the space. This increases the chance of contact between the first electrode 10 and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment improves the carbon dioxide adsorption performance.

[0037] Furthermore, when the cell 1 is viewed from above, the contour of the first electrode 10 may be located inside the contour of the pressing member 40, or may coincide with the contour of the pressing member 40. This allows the pressing member 40 to press the entire first electrode 10, further improving the reliability of the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0038] 3 can be applied not only to the first pressing member 41 shown in Fig. 2 but also to the second pressing member 42. That is, the shape of the first convex portion 401 may be applied to the shape of the first convex portion 411 (see Fig. 2) of the first pressing member 41 and / or the shape of the first convex portion 421 (see Fig. 2) of the second pressing member 42.

[0039] In the pressing member 40 shown in FIG. 3, the first convex portion 401 is positioned along the diagonal line connecting the diagonal corners of the pressing member 40 when viewed in a plane, but the shape of the first convex portion 401 of the pressing member 40 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] 4 to 9 are plan views showing other examples of the pressing member of the electrochemical cell unit according to the embodiment.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the first convex portion 401 may have a plurality of protrusions 401a to 401d extending from the center 40P of the pressing member 40 in a plan view toward each side of the pressing member 40 in a plan view.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the first convex portion 401 may have a plurality of protrusions extending along the Z axis from one end side to the other end side in the Z axis direction of the pressing member 40 in a plan view.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the first convex portion 401 may have a plurality of protrusions 401e extending along the Z axis from one end side to the other end side in the Z axis direction of the pressing member 40 in a planar view, and a plurality of protrusions 401f extending along the Y axis from one end side to the other end side in the Y axis direction.

[0044] 7 , the pressing member 40 may have a second convex portion 402. The second convex portion 402 may protrude from a side portion of the pressing member 40 in a planar view toward the cell 1. The side portion of the pressing member 40 refers to sides 40a to 40d of the pressing member 40 in a planar view and their vicinity. By having the second convex portion 402, the pressing member 40 can regulate the flow of gas containing carbon dioxide that flows between the pressing member 40 and the first electrode 10.

[0045] 7, the second convex portion 402 may have a plurality of protrusions 402a to 402d located on opposite sides of the pressing member 40 in a plan view. As shown in Fig. 7, the second convex portion 402 may have protrusions 402a and 402b located on the side of the pressing member 40 facing side 40a in a plan view, and protrusions 402c and 402d located on the side of the pressing member 40 facing side 40c. This makes it possible to restrict the flow of the gas containing carbon dioxide between the pressing member 40 and the first electrode 10 to one direction.

[0046] The arrangement of the second convex portions 402 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 7. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the second convex portions 402 may have a protrusion 402a located on the side 40a of the pressing member 40 in plan view, a protrusion 402f located on the side 40b, a protrusion 402c located on the side 40c, and a protrusion 402e located on the side 40d.

[0047] 9, the pressing member 40 may have a plurality of openings 403 penetrating in the thickness direction. This allows gas containing carbon dioxide to flow not only between the pressing member 40 and the first electrode 10 but also from the outside of the pressing member 40 toward the first electrode 10, increasing the chance of contact between the first electrode 10 and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment has improved carbon dioxide adsorption performance.

[0048] Furthermore, the openings 403 may be located more in a peripheral region 405 located outside the central region 404 of the pressing member 40 in a planar view than in the central region 404. Having more openings 403 located in the peripheral region 405 ensures a reaction distance at the first electrode 10, thereby increasing the opportunity for the first electrode 10 to come into contact with carbon dioxide. Therefore, the cell unit 100 according to this embodiment improves the carbon dioxide adsorption performance. Here, the central region 404 refers to a region in which the distance from the center 40P of the pressing member 40 is L×1 / 3 or less, where L is the length from the center 40P of the pressing member 40 to the outer edge in a planar view. Also, having more openings 403 means that there are a large number of openings 403 located per unit area of ​​the pressing member 40 in a planar view.

[0049] 7 and 8 show an example of the pressing member 40 having the first convex portion 401 shown in Fig. 3 as the pressing member 40 having the second convex portion 402, but the shape of the first convex portion 401 is not limited to that shown in the drawings. In addition, the pressing member 40 having the second convex portion 402 does not necessarily have to have the first convex portion 401.

[0050] 9 illustrates a pressing member 40 having the first convex portion 401 and the second convex portion 402 shown in FIG. 8 as an example of the pressing member 40 having the opening 403, but the shape of the first convex portion 401 and the arrangement of the second convex portion 402 are not limited to those shown in the figure. Furthermore, the pressing member 40 having the opening 403 does not necessarily have to have the first convex portion 401 and / or the second convex portion 402.

[0051] The present disclosure has been described in detail above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0052] In one embodiment, (1) an electrochemical cell unit includes: an electrochemical cell having a first electrode having an absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide; a second electrode; and an insulating layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a pressing member that is located on the opposite side of the insulating layer with the first electrode in between and presses the electrochemical cell.

[0053] Furthermore, (2) in the electrochemical cell unit of (1) above, the first electrode may have a first member and a second member that face each other with the second electrode sandwiched therebetween, the insulating layer may have a first insulating layer located between the first member and the second electrode and a second insulating layer located between the second member and the second electrode, and the pressing member may have a first pressing member located on the opposite side of the first insulating layer with the first member sandwiched therebetween, and a second pressing member located on the opposite side of the second insulating layer with the second member sandwiched therebetween.

[0054] Furthermore, (3) in the electrochemical cell unit of (1) or (2) above, the pressing member may have a first protrusion that protrudes toward the first electrode and comes into contact with the first electrode.

[0055] Furthermore, (4) in the electrochemical cell unit of (3) above, the first convex portion may have one or more protrusions extending radially outward from a center of the pressing member in a plan view.

[0056] Furthermore, (5) in the electrochemical cell unit of (3) above, the first convex portion may have a plurality of protrusions extending from one end side to the other end side of the pressing member in a plan view.

[0057] Furthermore, (6) in the electrochemical cell unit of any one of (1) to (5) above, the pressing member may have a second convex portion that protrudes from a side portion of the pressing member in a plan view toward the electrochemical cell.

[0058] Furthermore, (7) in the electrochemical cell unit of (6) above, the second convex portion may have a plurality of protrusions located on opposite sides of the pressing member in a plan view.

[0059] Furthermore, (8) in the electrochemical cell unit of any one of (1) to (7) above, the pressing member may have a plurality of openings penetrating in the thickness direction.

[0060] Furthermore, (9) in the electrochemical cell unit of (8) above, the openings may be located more in a peripheral region located outside the central region of the pressing member in a plan view than in the central region.

[0061] Furthermore, (10) in any one of the electrochemical cell units (1) to (9) above, when the electrochemical cell is viewed in a plan view, the contour of the first electrode may be located inside the contour of the pressing member or may coincide with the contour of the pressing member.

[0062] The disclosed embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the above-described embodiments may be embodied in various forms. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0063] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cell 10 First electrode 20 Second electrode 30 Insulating layer 40 Pressing member 100 Cell unit 401 First convex portion 402 Second convex portion 403 Opening

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell unit comprising: an electrochemical cell having a first electrode having an absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide, a second electrode, and an insulating layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a pressing member located on the opposite side of the insulating layer across the first electrode, for pressing the electrochemical cell.

2. The electrochemical cell unit described in claim 1, wherein the first electrode has a first member and a second member which face each other with the second electrode in between, the insulating layer has a first insulating layer located between the first member and the second electrode and a second insulating layer located between the second member and the second electrode, and the pressing member has a first pressing member located on the opposite side of the first insulating layer with the first member in between, and a second pressing member located on the opposite side of the second insulating layer with the second member in between.

3. The electrochemical cell unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing member has a first protrusion that protrudes toward the first electrode and contacts the first electrode.

4. The electrochemical cell unit according to claim 3, wherein the first convex portion has one or more protrusions extending radially outward from the center of the pressing member in a plan view.

5. The electrochemical cell unit according to claim 3, wherein the first convex portion has a plurality of protrusions extending from one end side to the other end side of the pressing member in a plan view.

6. The electrochemical cell unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing member has a second convex portion that protrudes from a side portion of the pressing member in a plan view toward the electrochemical cell.

7. The electrochemical cell unit according to claim 6, wherein the second convex portion has a plurality of protrusions located on opposite sides of the pressing member in a plan view.

8. The electrochemical cell unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressing member has a plurality of openings penetrating therethrough in the thickness direction.

9. The electrochemical cell unit according to claim 8, wherein the openings are located more in a peripheral region outside the central region of the pressing member in a plan view than in the central region.

10. An electrochemical cell unit described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, when the electrochemical cell is viewed in a plane, the contour of the first electrode is located inside the contour of the pressing member or coincides with the contour of the pressing member.

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