Abstract: The current disclosure provides a method of fabricating a perfluorosulfonated ionomer membrane with a surface having an array of a plurality of fine pillars. The pillars are fabricated by a rapid deformation of the membrane via thermal imprint lithography under appropriate temperatures and pressures. This fabrication process induces the molecular alignment of a polymer in the pillars. As a result, the main chain via C—F and C—C bonds in the pillar is controlled to reduce the proton transport resistance in the pillars. Therefore, the fuel cells utilizing the invented membrane show improved performance under low humidity.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a cathode electrode including: (1) mixing a polymerizable electrolyte precursor having an alkylsulfonic acid group and a group represented by (R1O)3Si—, with a first solvent to prepare a platinum elution-preventing material; (2) preparing a first liquid by mixing catalyst powders having catalyst particles, the platinum elution-preventing material and a second solvent; (3) polymerizing the platinum elution-preventing material in the first liquid by carrying out a drying treatment under reduced pressure or a heat drying treatment to form a platinum elution-preventing layer containing the polymer of the platinum elution-preventing material on the catalyst powder surfaces to obtain a preventing layer-covered catalyst; (4) mixing the preventing layer-covered catalyst, a third solvent, and an electrolyte to prepare a second liquid; and (5) applying the second liquid on a substrate, and removing the third solvent to obtain the cathode electrode.

Abstract: An oxygen reduction catalyst and the catalyst as an electrode catalyst are provided. The oxygen reduction catalyst is characterized by including an organometallic polymer structure in which a transition metal or zinc is coordinated with an organic polymer compound including a ligand comprising a heterocyclic 5-membered ring or a heterocyclic 6-membered ring containing at least not less than two elements selected from nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se), and derivatives thereof. Thereby, even when an amount of a metal is smaller than that in a platinum particulate catalyst, an oxygen reduction capacity equal to or more than that of the platinum particulate catalyst can be obtained. Further, by coordinating a metal with an organic polymer, stability in an oxygen reduction condition can be significantly improved compared to the case of metal based macrocyclic compounds.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell includes an electrode-electrolyte membrane coupling structure 3 configured to generate electric power through a chemical reaction between a fuel aqueous solution and an oxidant; a hydrophilic membrane 17 made of a hydrophilic material; and a repellent porous membrane 18 made of a repellent material. The repellent porous membrane 18 is arranged between the electrode-electrolyte membrane coupling structure 3 and the hydrophilic membrane 17. The fuel aqueous solution is supplied through the hydrophilic membrane 17 and the repellent porous membrane 18 to the electrode-electrolyte membrane coupling structure 3. At this time, the solid polymer fuel cell 10 can prevent the fuel from being excessively permeated, even though using the fuel aqueous solution of the high concentration.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell includes an electrode—electrolyte membrane coupling structure 3 configured to generate electric power through a chemical reaction between a fuel aqueous solution and an oxidant; a hydrophilic membrane 17 made of a hydrophilic material; and a repellent porous membrane 18 made of a repellent material. The repellent porous membrane 18 is arranged between the electrode—electrolyte membrane coupling structure 3 and the hydrophilic membrane 17. The fuel aqueous solution is supplied through the hydrophilic membrane 17 and the repellent porous membrane 18 to the electrode—electrolyte membrane coupling structure 3. At this time, the solid polymer fuel cell 10 can prevent the fuel from being excessively permeated, even though using the fuel aqueous solution of the high concentration.

Abstract: Cut lines (61) are formed in a wicking member (60) for supplying fuel to an anode (32) of a unit cell (11). This makes it possible to supply a sufficient amount of fuel to the anode because not only fuel propagation inside the wicking member (60) but also a capillary force obtained through the cut lines of the wicking member (60) can be utilized. This is so because not only fuel propagation through continuous pores inside the wicking member (60) but also fuel propagation through the cut lines (61) can effectively be utilized. This makes it possible to supply fuel for a long time period even when the amount is small and the concentration is low, thereby generating electric power for a long time.