Patent EP-2131433-A1 (EP)
Inventor: SCHMIDT THOMAS DR
IPC: H01M8/02
Filed: 2008-06-05
Abstract: The method comprises subjecting a bipolar plate equipped with a media channel (6), subjecting a gas diffusion layer (2) having a catalyst layer turned to the side and subjecting the gas diffusion layer on the part of the bipolar plate equipped with the media channel so that the media channel is completely covered with the gas diffusion layer, producing and/or subjecting a construction element on the edge and/or edge area of the bipolar plate, subjecting and depositing the polymer electrolyte membrane or electrolyte matrix (1) on the surface of the gas diffusion layer. The method for the production of electrochemical cells such as fuel cell, solitary cell and/or fuel cell stacks, where the electrochemical cell comprises a proton conductive polymer electrolyte membrane or electrolyte matrix (1), a catalyst layer that exists respectively on the both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane or electrolyte matrix, an electrically conductive gas diffusion layer (2) that exists respectively on the side of the catalyst layer turned to the electrolyte, a bipolar plate with integrated media channel (6) that exists respectively on the side of the gas diffusion layer turned to the catalyst layer, and a revolving construction element (4) in the edge area of the gas diffusion layer for bipolar plate, comprises subjecting the bipolar plate equipped with the media channel, subjecting the gas diffusion layer having the catalyst layer turned to the side and subjecting the gas diffusion layer on the part of the bipolar plate equipped with the media channel so that the media channel is completely covered with the gas diffusion layer, producing and/or subjecting the construction element on the edge and/or edge area of the bipolar plate, subjecting and depositing the polymer electrolyte membrane or electrolyte matrix on the surface of the gas diffusion layer and/or on the catalyst layer subjected on the gas diffusion layer, and pressing the component with further component, which has the bipolar plate, the gas diffusion layer, the catalyst layer and the construction element in the edge area of the bipolar plate. The construction element overcomes in the constructive interior edge area. The external edge area of the diffusion layer overlaps with the gas diffusion layer in the recess, which has the form of a rear cut and is fixed in the interior edge area, the construction element and the bipolar plate. The construction element is a frame shaped component, which overcomes in the constructive internal area and overlaps the gas diffusion layer, which fixes the recess formed in the frame shaped component through the bipolar plate. The construction element is formed from a sealing material based on the polymer or material like the bipolar plate. The construction element consists of a sealing material based on polymer and the bipolar plate consists of increased edge (7) rotating against the flat surface of the bipolar plate. The rotating increased edge and the surface of the flat area of the plate are arranged parallel to each other with the media channel. The sealing has a groove in the interior edge area for the reception of the polymer electrolyte membrane or the polymer matrix. The frame shaped component is formed from a material like the bipolar plate and the sealing covers the frame shaped component. The electrolyte matrix comprises an ionic conductive material and a matrix. The polymer electrolyte membrane comprises acids, which is covalently bounded on the polymer through interactions. The bipolar plate is formed from electric conductive materials. The bipolar plate is formed from metallic or non-metallic materials. The bipolar plate formed from non-metallic materials comprises composite-materials, which comprise polymer materials and electric conductive filling materials. The bipolar plate consists of additional coatings that reduce sheet resistance of the boundary area of the gas diffusion layer/bipolar plate or increase physical and/or chemical resistance of the bipolar plate against the media formed in the fuel cells. The bipolar plate is subjected on a single disk and comprises a cavity for cooling agent and/or for supply and discharge of reaction gases. Independent claims are included for: (1) electrochemical cells; (2) fuel cell system; and (3) a semi-finished product for mounting electrochemical cells.