Patent · US Active

Porous electrode substrate, method for manufacturing same, precursor sheet, membrane electrode assembly, and polymer electrolyte fuel cell

US9825304B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
7References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 22, 2016
Grant dateNov 21, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 22, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

According to the present invention, a porous electrode substrate with greater sheet strength, lower production cost, and excellent gas permeability and conductivity as well as its manufacturing method are provided. Also provided are a precursor sheet for forming such a substrate, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing such a substrate. The method for manufacturing such a porous electrode substrate includes the following steps [1]˜[3]: [1] a step for manufacturing a sheet material in which short carbon fibers (A) are dispersed; [2] a step for manufacturing a precursor sheet by adding a water-soluble phenolic resin and/or water-dispersible phenolic resin to the sheet material; and [3] a step for carbonizing the precursor sheet at a temperature of 1000° C. or higher. The present invention also relates to a porous electrode substrate obtained by such a manufacturing method as well as a precursor sheet to be used for manufacturing the substrate, a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.