JP6426261B2 - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  The fuel cell has a support substrate and a power generation element portion. The power generation element unit has a fuel electrode, an electrolyte, and an air electrode. The air electrode has an air electrode active portion and an air electrode current collector. The cathode collecting portion is disposed on the cathode active portion. In detail, the air electrode current collecting portion is larger than the air electrode active portion in the width direction of the support substrate, and is configured to cover the entire air electrode active portion.

JP, 2015-76339, A

  An object of the present invention is to suppress peeling of the outer electrode current collector.

  A fuel cell according to an aspect of the present invention includes a support substrate and a power generation element portion. The power generation element unit has an inner electrode, an electrolyte, and an outer electrode. The power generation element unit is supported by the support substrate. The outer electrode has an outer electrode active portion made of a porous material and an outer electrode current collector portion disposed on the outer electrode active portion. In the width direction of the support substrate, both ends of the outer electrode current collector are disposed inside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion.

  The inventor of the present invention has found that in the conventional fuel cell, both ends of the outer electrode current collector are disposed on the electrolyte or on the reaction preventing film, which is one of the factors of peeling of the outer electrode current collector. I found out. That is, in the fuel cell of the related art, in order to increase the current collection efficiency from the outer electrode active portion, the outer electrode current collector is configured to cover the entire outer electrode active portion in the width direction of the support substrate. . For this reason, in the width direction of the support substrate, both ends of the outer electrode current collector portion are disposed on the electrolyte or the reaction prevention film beyond both ends of the outer electrode active portion. On the other hand, in the fuel cell according to the present invention, both ends of the outer electrode current collector in the width direction of the support substrate are disposed inside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion. For this reason, both ends of the outer electrode current collecting portion are disposed not on the electrolyte or the reaction preventing film but on the outer electrode active portion. Here, the connection between both ends of the outer electrode current collector is made on the outer electrode active portion made of a porous material, rather than on the electrolyte membrane or reaction preventive film made of a dense material. Strength becomes stronger. And generally, exfoliation occurs from the both ends of an outside electrode current collection part. For this reason, the fuel cell according to the present invention can suppress peeling of the outer electrode current collector.

  Preferably, the inner electrode has an inner electrode current collector and an inner electrode active portion disposed on the inner electrode current collector. And in the width direction of a support substrate, both ends of an outside electrode active part are arranged inside both ends of an inside electrode active part.

  Preferably, the inner electrode is a fuel electrode and the outer electrode is an air electrode.

  Preferably, both ends of the outer electrode current collector in the width direction of the support substrate have a plurality of peaks and valleys alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate. Each valley is recessed inward in the width direction of the support substrate.

  Preferably, in the width direction of the support substrate, the valleys at both ends of the outer electrode current collector are disposed inside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion.

  Preferably, in the width direction of the support substrate, the peak portions at both ends of the outer electrode current collecting portion are disposed outside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion.

  According to the present invention, peeling of the outer electrode current collector can be suppressed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel cell stack. Sectional drawing of a fuel cell stack. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel manifold. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel cell. Sectional drawing of a fuel cell. VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. Sectional drawing of the proximal end side of a fuel cell. The figure which shows joining of a fuel cell and a fuel manifold. The figure which shows the supply method of air. The figure which shows the electric current which flows through the inside of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The figure which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell. The enlarged top view of the fuel cell concerning a modification. The enlarged top view of the fuel cell concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fuel cell stack using a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the dense material means a material having such a density that gas does not pass. Specifically, the dense material means a material having a porosity of 10% or less. In addition, the porous material means a material having a density that allows gas to pass. Specifically, the porous material means a material having a porosity of 20 to 60%.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fuel cell stack 100 includes a fuel manifold 200 and a plurality of fuel cells 301.

[Fuel manifold]
As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel manifold 200 is configured to distribute fuel gas to each of the fuel cells 301. Fuel manifold 200 is hollow and has an internal space. Fuel gas is supplied to the internal space of the fuel manifold 200 via the inlet pipe 201. The fuel manifold 200 has a plurality of through holes 202 spaced apart from one another. Each through hole 202 is formed in the top plate 203 of the fuel manifold 200. Each through hole 202 communicates the internal space of the fuel manifold 200 with the outside.

[Fuel cell]
As shown in FIG. 2, each fuel cell 301 extends from the fuel manifold 200. In detail, each fuel cell 301 extends upward (in the x-axis direction) from the top plate 203 of the fuel manifold 200. That is, the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of each fuel cell 301 extends upward. The base end of the fuel cell 301 is inserted into the through hole 202. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell 301 includes a plurality of power generation element units 10 and a support substrate 20.

[Supporting substrate]
The support substrate 20 internally includes a plurality of gas flow paths 21 extending along the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 20. Each gas passage 21 extends from the proximal end side of the support substrate 20 toward the distal end side. The gas flow paths 21 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the support substrate 20. The respective gas channels 21 extend substantially parallel to one another. The proximal side means the gas supply side of the gas flow channel 21. Specifically, when the fuel cell 301 is attached to the fuel manifold 200, it means the side closer to the fuel manifold 200. Further, the tip side means the opposite side to the gas supply side of the gas flow channel 21. Specifically, when the fuel cell 301 is attached to the fuel manifold 200, it means the side far from the fuel manifold 200. For example, in FIG. 2 of the present embodiment, the lower side is the proximal side, and the upper side is the distal side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support substrate 20 has a plurality of first recesses 22. Each first recess 22 is formed in the pair of main surfaces 23 of the support substrate 20. The first recesses 22 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 20. Each first recess 22 is not formed at both ends in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20.

The support substrate 20 is made of a porous material having no electron conductivity. The support substrate 20 can be made of, for example, CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the support substrate 20 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia), or composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria) It may be made of MgO (magnesium oxide) and MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel).

[Power generation element]
Each power generation element unit 10 is supported by each main surface 23 of the support substrate 20. Each power generation element unit 10 may be supported by only one of the main surfaces 23 of the support substrate 20. The respective power generation element units 10 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 20. That is, the fuel cells 301 according to the present embodiment are so-called horizontal stripe type fuel cells. The power generation element units 10 adjacent in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected to each other by the interconnector 31.

  The power generation element unit 10 includes a fuel electrode 4 (an example of an inner electrode), an electrolyte 5, and an air electrode 6 (an example of an outer electrode). In addition, the power generation element unit 10 further includes a reaction prevention film 7.

[Fuel electrode]
The fuel electrode 4 is a sintered body composed of a porous material having electron conductivity. The fuel electrode 4 has a fuel electrode current collector 41 (an example of an inner electrode current collector) and a fuel electrode active portion 42 (an example of an inner electrode active portion).

[Fuel electrode current collector]
The fuel electrode current collector 41 is disposed in the first recess 22. In detail, the anode collecting portion 41 is filled in the first recess 22 and has the same outer shape as the first recess 22. The fuel electrode current collector 41 has a second recess 411 and a third recess 412. In the second recess 411, the fuel electrode active portion 42 is disposed. Further, in the third recess 412, the interconnector 31 is disposed.

  The fuel electrode collector 41 has electron conductivity. It is preferable that the fuel electrode current collecting unit 41 have electron conductivity higher than that of the fuel electrode active unit 42. The fuel electrode current collector 41 may or may not have oxygen ion conductivity.

The fuel electrode collector 41 may be made of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the fuel electrode current collector 41 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria), or composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia) It is also good. The thickness of the fuel electrode current collector 41 and the depth of the first recess 22 are about 50 to 500 μm.

[Fuel electrode active part]
The anode active portion 42 is disposed on the anode current collector 41. Specifically, the anode active portion 42 is disposed in the second recess 411 of the anode current collector 41. The fuel electrode active portion 42 has oxygen ion conductivity and electron conductivity. The fuel electrode active portion 42 has a larger content of the substance having oxygen ion conductivity than the fuel electrode current collector 41. Specifically, in the fuel electrode active portion 42, the volume ratio of the substance having oxygen ion conductivity to the total volume excluding the pores is equal to the oxygen ion conductivity to the total volume excluding the pores in the anode current collector 41 It is larger than the volume ratio of the substance having sex.

  The fuel electrode active portion 42 can be made of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8 YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the anode active part 42 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and GDC (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the anode active portion 42 is 5 to 30 μm.

[Electrolytes]
The electrolyte 5 is disposed to cover the fuel electrode 4. Specifically, the electrolyte 5 extends in the longitudinal direction from one interconnector 31 to the next interconnector 31. That is, in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 20, the electrolytes 5 and the interconnectors 31 are alternately and continuously arranged. The electrolyte 5 is configured to cover the main surfaces 23 of the support substrate 20.

  The electrolyte 5 is a sintered body composed of a dense material having ion conductivity and no electron conductivity. The electrolyte 5 can be made of, for example, YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the electrolyte 5 may be made of LSGM (lanthanum gallate). The thickness of the electrolyte 5 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

[Reactive film]
The reaction prevention film 7 is a sintered body composed of a dense material. The reaction prevention film 7 is disposed between the electrolyte 5 and the cathode active portion 61. The reaction preventing film 7 suppresses the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a reaction layer having a large electric resistance is formed at the interface between the electrolyte 5 and the air electrode 6 by the reaction between YSZ in the electrolyte 5 and Sr in the air electrode 6. Provided in

The reaction prevention film 7 is made of a material containing ceria containing a rare earth element. The reaction prevention film 7 may be made of, for example, GDC = (Ce, Gd) O ₂ (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the reaction prevention film 7 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

[Air pole]
The air electrode 6 is a sintered body composed of a porous material having electron conductivity. The air electrode 6 is disposed on the opposite side of the fuel electrode 4 with respect to the electrolyte 5. The air electrode 6 has an air electrode active portion 61 (an example of the outer electrode active portion) and an air electrode current collector 62 (an example of the outer electrode current collector).

[Air electrode active part]
The cathode active portion 61 is disposed on the reaction prevention film 7. The cathode active portion 61 has oxygen ion conductivity and electron conductivity. The content ratio of the substance having oxygen ion conductivity is larger in the cathode active part 61 than in the cathode collection part 62. Specifically, in the cathode active part 61, the volume ratio of the substance having oxygen ion conductivity to the total volume excluding the pores is equal to the oxygen ion conduction to the total volume excluding the pores in the cathode current collecting part 62. It is larger than the volume ratio of the substance having sex.

The cathode active part 61 is made of a porous material. The cathode active part 61 may be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, the cathode active portion 61 may be formed of LSF = (La, Sr) FeO ₃ (lanthanum strontium ferrite), LNF = La (Ni, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum nickel ferrite), or LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite) etc. may be comprised. The cathode active portion 61 may be constituted by two layers of a first layer (inner layer) composed of LSCF and a second layer (outer layer) composed of LSC. The thickness of the air electrode active portion 61 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

[Air electrode collector]
The air electrode collector portion 62 is disposed on the air electrode active portion 61. Further, the air electrode current collecting portion 62 extends from the air electrode active portion 61 toward the adjacent power generating element portion. The fuel electrode current collector 41 and the air electrode current collector 62 extend from the power generation region to opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 20. The power generation region is a region where the fuel electrode active portion 42, the electrolyte 5, and the air electrode active portion 61 overlap.

  The air electrode current collector portion 62 is a sintered body made of a porous material having electron conductivity. It is preferable that the air electrode current collecting portion 62 have electron conductivity higher than that of the air electrode active portion 61. The air electrode current collector 62 may or may not have oxygen ion conductivity.

The air electrode current collector 62 may be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, the air electrode current collector 62 may be configured of LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite). Alternatively, the air electrode current collector 62 may be made of Ag (silver) or Ag—Pd (silver-palladium alloy). In addition, the thickness of the air electrode current collection part 62 is about 50-500 micrometers, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20, both ends of the air electrode current collecting portion 62 are disposed inside the both ends of the air electrode active portion 61. That is, the width w 2 of the air electrode current collecting portion 62 is smaller than the width w 1 of the air electrode active portion 61. Therefore, both end portions 621 of the air electrode current collector 62 are in contact with the air electrode active portion 61. The distance d between the end of the air electrode current collector 62 and the end of the air electrode active portion 61 in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20 is not particularly limited. It can be about 1 mm.

  Further, in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20, both ends of the air electrode active portion 61 are disposed inside the both ends of the fuel electrode active portion 42. That is, the width w1 of the cathode active portion 61 is smaller than the width w3 of the anode active portion 42.

[Interconnector]
As shown in FIG. 5, the interconnector 31 is configured to electrically connect the power generation element units 10 adjacent in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 20. In detail, the air electrode current collector portion 62 of one power generation element portion 10 extends toward the other power generation element portion 10. Further, the fuel electrode collector portion 41 of the other power generation element portion 10 extends toward the one power generation element portion 10. The interconnector 31 electrically connects the air electrode current collector portion 62 of one power generation element portion 10 and the fuel electrode current collector portion 41 of the other power generation element portion 10. The interconnector 31 is disposed in the third recess 412 of the fuel electrode collector 41. Specifically, the interconnector 31 is embedded in the third recess 412.

The interconnector 31 is a fired body composed of a dense material having electron conductivity. The interconnector 31 can be made of, for example, LaCrO ₃ (lanthanum chromite). Alternatively, the interconnector 31 may be made of (Sr, La) TiO ₃ (strontium titanate). The thickness of the interconnector 31 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

[Current collecting member]
The fuel cells 301 configured as described above are electrically connected to the adjacent fuel cells 301 by the current collectors 302. As shown in FIG. 2, the current collecting member 302 is disposed between the pair of fuel cells 301. The current collecting member 302 has conductivity so as to electrically connect adjacent fuel cells 301 in the thickness direction (z-axis direction). In detail, the current collection member 302 connects adjacent fuel cells 301 on the base end side of the fuel cell 301. The current collecting member 302 is disposed more proximal to the proximal power generation element unit 10 a. In detail, as shown in FIG. 7, the current collecting member 302 is disposed on the air electrode current collecting portion 62 extending from the proximal end power generating element portion 10 a.

The current collecting member 302 has, for example, a block shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cylindrical shape. The current collection member 302 is made of, for example, a sintered body of oxide ceramic. As such oxide ceramics, for example, a perovskite oxide or a spinel oxide can be mentioned. Examples of the perovskite oxide include (La, Sr) MnO ₃ or (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O _{3 and the} like. The spinel oxides, for _{example, (Mn, Co) 3 O} 4, or (Mn, _Fe) 3 _{O 4} and the like. The current collecting member 302 is not flexible, for example. The current collecting member 302 may be formed of a metal plate or the like.

The current collecting member 302 is joined to each fuel cell 301 by the first joining material 101. That is, the first bonding material 101 bonds each current collection member 302 and each fuel battery cell 301. The first bonding material 101 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of (Mn, Co) ₃ O ₄ , (La, Sr) MnO ₃ or (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O _{3 and the} like. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, each fuel cell 301 is supported by a fuel manifold 200. In detail, each fuel cell 301 is fixed to the top plate 203 of the fuel manifold 200 by the second bonding material 102. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the proximal end of each fuel cell 301 is inserted into the through hole 202 of the fuel manifold 200. The fuel cell 301 is fixed to the fuel manifold 200 by the second bonding material 102 in a state of being inserted into the through hole 202.

The second bonding material 102 is filled in the through hole 202 in a state where the fuel cell 301 is inserted. That is, the second bonding material 102 is filled in the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell 301 and the wall surface defining the through hole 202. The second bonding material 102 is, for example, crystallized glass. The crystallized glass, for _example, SiO 2 _-B 2 _{O 3 system,} SiO 2 -CaO-based, or _SiO 2 -MgO system may be employed. In addition, in this specification, the ratio (the degree of crystallinity) of “volume occupied by the crystal phase” to the total volume is 60% or more, and “the volume occupied by the amorphous phase and the impurities to the total volume” Refers to glass with a percentage of less than 40%. In addition, as a material of the second bonding material 102, amorphous glass, brazing material, ceramics, or the like may be adopted. Specifically, the second bonding material 102 is at least one selected from the group consisting of a SiO ₂ -MgO-B ₂ O ₅ -Al ₂ O ₃ system and a SiO ₂ -MgO-Al ₂ O ₃ -ZnO system. .

  The length in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of each of the fuel cells 301 protruding from the fuel manifold 200 can be about 100 to 300 mm. Further, the fuel cells 301 are arranged at intervals in the thickness direction (z-axis direction) of the fuel cells 301. The distance between the fuel cells 301 can be about 1 to 5 mm.

[Power generation method]
The fuel cell stack 100 configured as described above generates power as follows. Fuel gas (hydrogen gas or the like) is allowed to flow into the gas flow path 21 of each fuel cell 301 via the fuel manifold 200, and both surfaces of the support substrate 20 are exposed to gas (such as air) containing oxygen.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the proximal side of the proximal power generation element unit 10a so as to flow along the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20. Specifically, the fuel cell stack 100 further includes a gas supply member 400. The gas supply member 400 is configured to supply a gas such as air between the fuel cells 301. The guide plate 401 may be installed on the opposite side of the gas supply member 400 so that the gas supplied from the gas supply member 400 efficiently flows upward. The guide plate 401 is flat and extends in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 301, and extends in the thickness direction of the fuel cell 301.

As described above, in each of the power generation element units 10 supplied with the fuel gas and the gas containing oxygen, an electromotive force is generated due to an oxygen partial pressure difference generated between both side surfaces of the electrolyte 5. When this fuel cell stack 100 is connected to an external load, the electrochemical reaction shown in the following equation (1) occurs in the air electrode 6, the electrochemical reaction shown in the following equation (2) occurs in the fuel electrode 4, and current flows .
(1/2) · O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ^{2 −} (1)
H ₂ + O ^2- → H ₂ O + 2 e ⁻ (2)
In the power generation state, current flows as indicated by arrows in FIG.

[Production method]
Next, a method of manufacturing the fuel cell configured as described above will be described. In FIGS. 11 to 17, “g” at the end of the reference numeral of each member indicates that the member is before firing.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, a molded body 20g of a support substrate is produced. The molded body 20 g of the support substrate is manufactured, for example, using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the support substrate 20 (for example, CSZ) using a method such as extrusion molding and cutting. It can be done.

  After the molded body 20g of the support substrate is manufactured, next, as shown in FIG. 12, in each of the first concave portions 22 formed on the respective main surfaces 23 of the molded body 20g of the support substrate, The molded body 41g is filled. The molded body 41g of the fuel electrode current collector is produced by, for example, a printing method or the like using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the fuel electrode current collector 41 described above.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, in each of the second recesses 411 of the molded body 41g of the anode current collecting portion, the molded film 42g of the anode active portion is formed. The molded film 42g is formed by, for example, a printing method or the like using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the fuel electrode active portion 42 described above.

  Further, the molded film 31g of the interconnector is formed in each of the third concave portions 412 of the molded body 41g of each of the fuel electrode collectors. The molded film 31g of each interconnector is formed by, for example, a printing method or the like using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the interconnector 31 described above.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a molded membrane 5g of the electrolyte is formed on the molded membrane 42g of the fuel electrode active portion. Specifically, the tip of the electrolyte molded membrane 5g is disposed on the interconnector molded membrane 31g. The base end of another electrolyte molded membrane 5g is also disposed on the same molded interconnector membrane 31g. Thus, the main surfaces 23 of the molded body 20g of the support substrate in a state in which the molded body 41g of the fuel electrode current collector and the molded film 42g of the fuel electrode active portion are formed It is covered by 5 g of molded films. The formed film 5 g of the electrolyte is formed by, for example, a printing method or a dipping method using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the electrolyte 5 described above.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the formed film 7g of the reaction prevention film is formed on the formed film 5g of the electrolyte. The molded film 7g of each reaction preventive film is formed by, for example, a printing method or the like using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the reaction preventive film 7 described above.

  Then, the molded product 20g of the support substrate in a state in which various molded films are formed as described above is fired in air at about 1200 to 1600 ° C. for about 1 to 10 hours. Thereby, a fuel cell in a state in which the air electrode 6 is not formed is obtained.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, a molded film 61 g of the air electrode active portion is formed on each reaction preventing film 7. The molded film 61g of each air electrode active portion is formed by, for example, a printing method or the like using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the air electrode active portion 61 described above.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, a formed film 62g of the air current collector is formed on the formed film 61g of the air electrode active portion. In detail, the molded film 62g of the air electrode current collector portion is formed to extend from the molded film 61g of the air electrode active portion toward the adjacent power generation element portion. Further, in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20, both ends of the formed film 62g of the air electrode current collecting portion are formed so as not to exceed both ends of the formed film 61g of the air electrode active portion. The formed film 62g of each air electrode current collecting portion is formed, for example, by a printing method or the like using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the air electrode current collecting portion 62 described above.

  Then, the support substrate 20 in a state in which the molded films 61g and 62g of the air electrode are formed as described above is sintered in air at about 900 to 1200 ° C. for about 1 to 10 hours. Thus, the fuel cell 301 is completed.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

Modification 1
In the said embodiment, although the fuel electrode current collection part 41 has the 2nd recessed part 411 and the 3rd recessed part 412, the structure of the fuel electrode current collection part 41 is not limited to this. For example, the anode collecting portion 41 may not have a recess such as the second recess 411 and the third recess 412. In this case, the anode active portion 42 is formed on the anode current collecting portion 41 and is not embedded in the anode current collecting portion 41. Further, the interconnector 31 is formed on the fuel electrode collector 41 and is not embedded in the fuel electrode collector 41.

Modification 2
In the above embodiment, the plurality of power generation element units 10 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 20, but the configuration of the fuel cell 301 is not limited to this. For example, only one power generation element unit 10 may be formed on the main surface 23 of the support substrate 20. That is, it may be a vertically striped fuel cell.

Modification 3
In the above embodiment, the fuel cell unit 301 has the fuel electrode 4 as the inner electrode and the air electrode 6 as the outer electrode, but the configuration of the fuel cell according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fuel electrode 4 can be an outer electrode, and the air electrode 6 can be an inner electrode.

Modification 4
In the said embodiment, although the both ends of the air electrode current collection part 62 in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20 are formed in linear form, it is not limited to this. For example, both ends of the air electrode current collector 62 in the width direction of the support substrate 20 may have a plurality of peak portions 622 and a plurality of valley portions 623. The peaks 622 and the valleys 623 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 20. Each valley portion 623 is recessed inward in the width direction of the support substrate 20.

  The ridges 622 and the valleys 623 are disposed on the inner side (left side in FIG. 18) in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20 than both ends of the air electrode active portion 61. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 20, while the valley portion 623 is arranged inside (both the left side in FIG. 19) the both ends of the air electrode active portion 61, The ridges 622 may be disposed outside the both ends of the cathode active portion 61 (right side in FIG. 19).

Reference Signs List 301 fuel cell 10 power generation element unit 4 fuel electrode 41 fuel electrode current collector 42 fuel electrode active unit 5 electrolyte 6 cathode 61 cathode active unit 62 cathode current collector 20 supporting substrate

Claims (7)

A supporting substrate,
A plurality of power generation element units having an inner electrode, an electrolyte, and an outer electrode, supported by the support substrate and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate;
Equipped with
The outer electrode is an outer electrode active portion made of a porous material , and an outer side made of a porous material and disposed on the outer electrode active portion and extending from the outer electrode active portion toward the adjacent power generation element portion And an electrode current collector;
In the width direction of the support substrate, both ends of the outer electrode current collecting portion are disposed inside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion.
Fuel cell.
The inner electrode includes an inner electrode current collector, and an inner electrode active portion disposed on the inner electrode current collector.
In the width direction of the support substrate, both ends of the outer electrode active portion are disposed inward of both ends of the inner electrode active portion.
The fuel cell according to claim 1.
The inner electrode is a fuel electrode,
The outer electrode is an air electrode,
The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2.
Both ends of the outer electrode current collector in the width direction of the support substrate have a plurality of peaks and valleys alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate,
The valleys are recessed inward in the width direction of the support substrate.
The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In the width direction of the support substrate, the valleys at both ends of the outer electrode current collecting portion are disposed inside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion.
The fuel cell according to claim 4.
In the width direction of the support substrate, the peak portions at both ends of the outer electrode current collecting portion are disposed outside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion.
A fuel cell according to claim 4 or 5.
A supporting substrate,
A power generation element unit having an inner electrode, an electrolyte, and an outer electrode, and supported by the support substrate;
Equipped with
The outer electrode includes an outer electrode active portion made of a porous material , and an outer electrode current collector made of a porous material and disposed on the outer electrode active portion.
In the width direction of the support substrate, both ends of the outer electrode current collecting portion are disposed inside the both ends of the outer electrode active portion,
Both ends of the outer electrode current collector in the width direction of the support substrate have a plurality of peaks and valleys alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate,
The valleys are recessed inward in the width direction of the support substrate.
Fuel cell.

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