Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode sandwiching the hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying a fuel gas to the anode, and a cathode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode.

Abstract: A purification catalyst and a gas-purifying apparatus are provided which are capable of sufficiently purifying a gas subject to treatment at low temperatures. The purification catalyst includes ZrO2 having a specific surface area of 50 m2/g or less and a monoclinic crystal system. The gas-purifying apparatus includes the aforementioned purification catalyst as a first purification catalyst, and a second purification catalyst containing Mn as a major component and disposed upstream of the first purification catalyst.

Abstract: In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell including a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane; a pair of electrodes composed of catalyst layers sandwiching the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane between them and gas diffusion layers in contact with the catalyst layers; a conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying a fuel gas to one of the electrodes; and a conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the other electrode, in order to bring a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte and a catalyst metal of the catalyst layers containing the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte and conductive carbon particles carrying the catalyst metal sufficiently and uniformly into contact with each other, the polymer electrolyte is provided in pores of an agglomerate structure of the conductive carbon particles. Consequently, the reaction area inside the electrodes is increased, and higher performance is exhibited.

Abstract: It is difficult to realize a small fuel cell capable of being installed in mobile device by merely downsizing a conventional fuel cell without changing the configuration. The present invention provides a small fuel cell employing a polymer electrolyte thin film, by using a semiconductor process. A polymer electrolyte thin film fuel cell in accordance with the present invention comprises: a substrate having a plurality of openings; an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly formed on the substrate so as to cover each of the openings, the assembly comprising a first catalyst electrode layer, a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and a second catalyst electrode layer which are formed successively; and fuel and oxidant supply means for supplying a fuel or an oxidant gas to the first catalyst electrode layer through the openings, and an oxidant gas or a fuel to the second catalyst electrode layer.

Abstract: In order to obtain an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly using a thin electrolyte membrane, the present invention provides a production method of an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly comprising: a step of forming a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane on a base material; a treatment step of reducing adhesion force between the base material and the hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane; a step of separating and removing the base material; and a step of bonding a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer onto the hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, and, in order to obtain an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly which has a catalyst without clogging and is excellent in electrode characteristics, the present invention provides a production method of an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly comprising: a step of bonding a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer via a coating layer; a step of removing the coating layer

Abstract: In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, at least one of electrodes comprises conductive carbon carrying a platinum group metal catalyst, conductive carbon carrying no catalyst metal and a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte. The preferable amount of the conductive carbon carrying no catalyst metal is equivalent to 5 to 50 wt % of the conductive carbon carrying the catalyst metal. Incorporation of the conductive carbon carrying no catalyst metal to the catalyst layer enables reduction in potential concentration on part of electron conduction channels in an electrode, whereby an electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an excellent life characteristic can be provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly 1 for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the membrane electrode assembly 1 including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 2 comprising an ion exchange membrane, a first electrode 3 having a first catalyst layer 31, and a second electrode 4 having a second catalyst layer 41, the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 being disposed so as to be opposed to each other via the ion exchange membrane, the method including: applying a coating solution containing a catalyst onto a base film 101 to form a first catalyst layer 31; applying a coating solution containing an ion exchange resin dissolved or dispersed in a liquid onto the first catalyst layer 31 to form an ion exchange membrane; then applying a coating solution containing a catalyst onto the ion exchange membrane to form a second catalyst layer 41; and finally, peeling off the base film 101 from a resulting laminate.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane-gasket assembly for a fuel cell, including a polymer electrolyte membrane and a gasket, made of a seal material, covering the peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane, in which the electrolyte membrane has a sequence of a plurality of through-holes in the peripheral portion, and a portion of the gasket covering one surface of the electrolyte membrane and a portion covering the other surface are connected to each other through the through-holes of the electrolyte membrane. This assembly provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell free from gas cross leakage caused by a detachment of the gasket from the polymer electrolyte membrane. It is preferable to further include catalyst layers carried on both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane, respectively, and protective films covering, respectively, sections spanning from the peripheral portion of each of the catalyst layers to the peripheral portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a polymer electrolyte fuel cell characterized in that each of the cathode and the anode comprises catalyst particles, a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrode, a conductive porous base material and a water repellent agent, and water repellency of at least one of the cathode and the anode varies in a direction of thickness or in a plane direction. As such, by varying the degree of the water repellency of the cathode and the anode on the basis of a position, an excellent polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a high discharge characteristic or more specifically a high current-voltage characteristic in a high current density range.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which neither cross leakage nor outward leakage occurs with the application of low clamping pressures. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a polymer electrolyte membrane, a gasket covering the periphery of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode and cathode attached to the electrolyte membrane; and conductive separator plates sandwiching the MEA therebetween. The gasket has seal ribs surrounding each of the manifold apertures, the anode and the cathode, as well as seal ribs formed on both sides of each of gas passages connecting the fuel gas manifold apertures with the anode and gas passages connecting the oxidant gas manifold apertures with the cathode. These seal ribs, except for in the gas passages, are pressed against the separator plates by clamping pressure of the cell stack to form gas sealing sections.

Abstract: When a hydrogen producing apparatus is stopped, the flow rates of a hydrocarbon-type fuel feedstock, water and an oxygen-containing oxidant gas are decreased respectively. A random decrease of the flow rates, however, invites a rapid increase in the temperature of a catalyst beyond the limit of thermal resistance, resulting in deactivation of the catalyst. Further, this poses a danger, for example, that the residual hydrocarbon-type fuel in the apparatus may be mixed with the oxidant gas after the stopping of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell including a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane; a pair of electrodes composed of catalyst layers sandwiching the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane between them and gas diffusion layers in contact with the catalyst layers; a conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying a fuel gas to one of the electrodes; and a conductive separator plate having a gas flow channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the other electrode, in order to bring a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte and a catalyst metal of the catalyst layers containing the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte and conductive carbon particles carrying the catalyst metal sufficiently and uniformly into contact with each other, the polymer electrolyte is provided in pores of an agglomerate structure of the conductive carbon particles. Consequently, the reaction area inside the electrodes is increased, and higher performance is exhibited.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell including a hydrogen-ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the membrane, a conductive separator plate having a gas passage for supplying a fuel to one of the electrodes, and a conductive separator plate having a gas passage for supplying an oxidant to the other electrode. The metallic conductive separator plate is a type in which a conductive coat including conductive particles and glass is formed on a surface having a gas passage. As a result, the corrosion of the metallic plate is suppressed and the degradation of the power generation efficiency after extended use is also suppressed.

Abstract: To improve the performance of a catalyst layer of a fuel cell electrode, the weight ratio of a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte and electroconductive carbon particles in the catalyst layer is controlled to satisfy the formula (1): Y=a·logX−b+c, where log represents natural logarithm, X represents the specific surface area of the electroconductive carbon particles (m2/g), Y=(the weight of the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte)/(the weight of the electroconductive carbon particles), a=0.216, c=±0.300, b=0.421 at an air electrode and b=0.221 at an fuel electrode.

Abstract: It is difficult to realize a small fuel cell capable of being installed in mobile device by merely downsizing a conventional fuel cell without changing the configuration. The present invention provides a small fuel cell employing a polymer electrolyte thin film, by using a semiconductor process. A polymer electrolyte thin film fuel cell in accordance with the present invention comprises: a substrate having a plurality of openings; an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly formed on the substrate so as to cover each of the openings, the assembly comprising a first catalyst electrode layer, a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and a second catalyst electrode layer which are formed successively; and fuel and oxidant supply means for supplying a fuel or an oxidant gas to the first catalyst electrode layer through the openings, and an oxidant gas or a fuel to the second catalyst electrode layer.

Abstract: In order to obtain an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly using a thin electrolyte membrane, the present invention provides a production method of an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly comprising: a step of forming a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane on a base material; a treatment step of reducing adhesion force between the base material and the hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane; a step of separating and removing the base material; and a step of bonding a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer onto the hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, and, in order to obtain an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly which has a catalyst without clogging and is excellent in electrode characteristics, the present invention provides a production method of an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly comprising: a step of bonding a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer via a coating layer; a step of removing the coating layer

Abstract: In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, at least one of electrodes comprises conductive carbon carrying a platinum group metal catalyst, conductive carbon carrying no catalyst metal and a hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte. The preferable amount of the conductive carbon carrying no catalyst metal is equivalent to 5 to 50 wt % of the conductive carbon carrying the catalyst metal. Incorporation of the conductive carbon carrying no catalyst metal to the catalyst layer enables reduction in potential concentration on part of electron conduction channels in an electrode, whereby an electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an excellent life characteristic can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention, relating to a method for removing dimethyl sulfide and tertiary butyl mercaptan present in city gas as the odorants, is aimed at removal of the sulfur compounds from city gas. The present invention removes dimethyl sulfide and tertiary butyl mercaptan in city gas in the presence of a sulfur compound adsorbent containing one of faujasite, &bgr;, L and MFI type zeolite. The adsorbent, being composed of zeolite and an inorganic binder, can be regenerated under heating.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a head unit and an anvil unit movably disposed in a direction traversing the sheet discharge direction to provide staples into a sheet bundle. A feed path is disposed between the head unit and the anvil unit for allowing the sheet bundle to pass therethrough. The sheet bundle is moved from a stacking device to the feed path, wherein the head unit and anvil unit stitch the sheet bundle fed for a specified distance into the feed path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte membrane-gasket assembly for a fuel cell, including a polymer electrolyte membrane and a gasket, made of a seal material, covering the peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane, in which the electrolyte membrane has a sequence of a plurality of through-holes in the peripheral portion, and a portion of the gasket covering one surface of the electrolyte membrane and a portion covering the other surface are connected to each other through the through-holes of the electrolyte membrane. This assembly provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that is free from gas cross leakage caused by a detachment of the gasket from the polymer electrolyte membrane. It is preferable to further include catalyst layers carried on both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane, respectively, and protective films covering, respectively, sections spanning from the peripheral portion of each of the catalyst layers to the peripheral portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane.