CN114361507A - Direct methanol fuel cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a direct methanol fuel cell module, comprising an anode end plate, a battery cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence. The volume array includes a substrate and a plurality of battery cells, the substrate is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, each battery cell includes an anode collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode collector arranged in sequence, each The membrane electrode is correspondingly embedded in a mounting through hole, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate. The first circuit through hole is provided with a conductor, and the two ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode collector and cathode collector of different battery cells. electrodes to connect multiple battery cells in series with each other. The present application realizes the series connection and easy integration of fuel cell units, and effectively improves the applicability of direct methanol fuel cells in the field of portable electronic devices.

Description

Direct methanol fuel cell module

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a direct methanol fuel cell module.

Background technique

With the continuous thinning of portable electronic devices and the increasing demand for power consumption, traditional large-sized batteries have been unable to meet the demand. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a device that can directly convert chemical energy into electrical energy only by consuming methanol and oxygen. Using micro-processing technology, the volume of each key part of DMFC can be reduced to make it miniaturized. Micro direct methanol fuel cells, which are small in size and high in energy density, are expected to be used in portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, PDAs, and wearable fields.

In practical application, it is necessary to use the cells of the direct methanol fuel cell in series to increase the output voltage of the cell, but considering the electrical connection between multiple cells and the fuel supply of the battery anode, it is difficult to connect the cells between the cells. In series, especially miniature direct methanol fuel cells with reduced feature size. At the same time, due to the limitation of space and structure in practical application, the integration degree of existing direct methanol fuel cells is still low. The above two aspects limit the application of direct methanol fuel cells in the field of portable electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above technical problems, the present application provides a direct methanol fuel cell module, which can realize series connection between fuel cell cells and is easy to integrate, and effectively improves the applicability of direct methanol fuel cells in the field of portable electronic devices.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a direct methanol fuel cell module, which includes an anode end plate, a battery cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, and the anode end plate faces one end of the battery cell array. A fuel channel groove is provided on the side, the battery cell array includes a base plate and a plurality of battery cells, the base plate is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, and each of the battery cells includes The anode collector, the membrane electrode and the cathode collector are arranged in sequence, each of the membrane electrodes is correspondingly embedded in one of the mounting through holes, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, and the first circuit A conductor is arranged in the through hole, and two ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode collector and the cathode collector of different battery cells, so as to connect the plurality of battery cells in series.

The anode collector is provided with a second line through hole, the cathode collector is provided with a third line through hole, and both ends of the first line through hole are respectively connected to the second line through hole and the The third circuit through hole, the conductor is formed in the second circuit through hole and the third circuit through hole.

Wherein, the conductor is a viscous conductive material filled in the first circuit through hole, the second circuit through hole, and the third circuit through hole.

Wherein, the plurality of first circuit through holes and the plurality of installation through holes are alternately arranged along the series direction between the battery cells, the series direction between the battery cells and the fuel flow channel groove direction is consistent.

Wherein, the fuel flow channel groove and the anode end plate are integrally formed.

Wherein, the anode end plate is provided with a liquid injection channel and a liquid outlet channel, the liquid injection channel communicates with the side surface of the anode end plate and the beginning of the fuel flow channel groove, and the liquid outlet channel communicates with the anode end The side of the plate and the end of the fuel runner groove.

Wherein, the anode collector and the cathode collector are mesh collectors.

The anode collector and the cathode collector are stainless steel meshes, the substrate is a silicon plate with a silicon oxide layer on the surface, and the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are polydimethylsiloxane end plates. The cathode end plate is provided with an oxygen inlet corresponding to each of the cathode collectors, respectively.

Wherein, among the plurality of battery cells, the anode collector of one battery cell and the cathode collector of the other battery cell are provided with lead-out ends, and the lead-out ends extend beyond the cathode end plate and the anode. Edge of extreme plate.

Wherein, the membrane electrode is fixed in the installation through hole by a waterproof adhesive, and the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are fixed on both sides of the battery cell array by a waterproof adhesive.

The direct methanol fuel cell module of the present application includes an anode end plate, a battery cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, and the side of the anode end plate facing the battery cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel, and the battery cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel. It includes a base plate and a plurality of battery cells, the base plate is provided with a plurality of installation through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, each battery cell includes an anode collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode collector arranged in sequence, and each membrane electrode Correspondingly embedded in a mounting through hole, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, the first circuit through hole is provided with a conductor, and the two ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode collector and cathode collector of different battery cells, so that multiple battery cells are connected in series with each other. The battery cell array of the present application includes a substrate and a plurality of battery cells, the substrate is provided with a plurality of through holes for battery cell installation and electrical connection, the anode side of the membrane electrode of the battery cell faces the anode end plate, and A fuel flow channel groove is arranged on the anode end plate, so that the fuel cell units can be connected in series and easily integrated, and the applicability of the direct methanol fuel cell in the field of portable electronic equipment is effectively improved.

Description of drawings

1 is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a direct methanol fuel cell module according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 is the assembly structure schematic diagram of the direct methanol fuel cell module shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the anode end plate shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front view of the substrate shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the anode collector shown in FIG. 1 with a second line through hole;

Fig. 6 is the front view of the anode collector with the first lead-out terminal shown in Fig. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the cathode end plate shown in FIG. 1 .

Detailed ways

The embodiments of the present application are described below by specific specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the contents disclosed in this specification.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which describe several embodiments of the present application. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical, structural, electrical, as well as operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. The following detailed description should not be considered limiting, as the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application.

Although in some instances the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

Also, as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context dictates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprising" and "comprising" indicate the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and/or groups, but do not exclude one or more other features, steps, operations, The existence, appearance or addition of elements, assemblies, items, categories, and/or groups. The terms "or" and "and/or" as used herein are to be construed to be inclusive or to mean any one or any combination. Thus, "A, B or C" or "A, B and/or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C" . Exceptions to this definition arise only when combinations of elements, functions, steps, or operations are inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a direct methanol fuel cell module according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the direct methanol fuel cell module shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the direct methanol fuel cell module of this embodiment includes an anode end plate 1 , a battery cell array 3 and a cathode end plate 2 arranged in sequence.

1 and 3 , the side of the anode end plate 1 facing the cell array 3 is provided with a fuel flow channel groove 11 . In this embodiment, the fuel flow channel groove 11 and the anode end plate 1 are integrally formed, and the fuel flow channel The channel groove 11 includes a plurality of transverse flow channel grooves and a plurality of longitudinal flow channel grooves. The plurality of transverse flow channel grooves and the plurality of longitudinal flow channel grooves are alternately arranged and connected in sequence. The depth of the fuel channel grooves 11 is preferably 0.5mm. . Anode end plate 1 can be prepared by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Specifically, first prepare SINWE Xinwei No. 909 No. AB group transparent material, take the AB group with a mass ratio of 10:1, stir and mix thoroughly and pour it out. In a mold with a cavity depth of 5 mm and a length and width of 50 mm × 36 mm, the bottom of the mold is provided with a fuel runner groove punch with a height of 0.5 mm. After that, it was left to stand for 30 minutes, so that the fine air bubbles in the mixture were suspended to the top, and then placed in a vacuum drying oven for vacuum drying for 30 minutes until there were no air bubbles. Next, heat the mixture for 70 to 90 minutes in a vacuum environment of 65° C. to solidify the mixture to obtain an anode end plate 1 with a depth of 0.5 mm for the fuel flow channel groove 11 . By controlling the total amount of the AB group mixture, the anode end plate 1 is controlled. The thickness is 1mm. Finally, one side surface of the anode end plate 1 is penetrated in the same direction, and the first opening 121, the second opening 122 and the liquid injection channel 15, the liquid outlet channel 16 and the liquid injection channel inside the anode end plate 1 are formed on the side surface. 15 communicates with the first opening 121 and the beginning of the fuel channel groove 11 , the liquid outlet channel 16 connects the second opening 122 and the end of the fuel channel groove 11 , and the methanol solution enters the fuel channel groove 11 through the liquid injection channel 15 .

The battery cell array 3 includes a substrate 31 and a plurality of battery cells disposed on the substrate 31 , and each battery cell includes an anode collector 321 , a membrane electrode 322 and a cathode collector 323 arranged in sequence.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 , the substrate 31 is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes 325 and a plurality of first circuit through holes 326 . In this embodiment, the substrate 31 is prepared by processing a silicon plate, the size of the silicon plate is, for example, 50 mm×36 mm, and lithography is performed on the silicon plate to penetrate, to form 12 circular holes with a diameter of 5 mm as the mounting through holes 325, and to form Eleven circular holes with a diameter of 1 mm are used as the first circuit through holes 326, which can be adjusted according to the arrangement of the battery cells. The shape of the through holes can also be square, triangular, oval and other through holes. Then, the surface of the silicon plate is oxidized to form a silicon oxide layer, and the substrate 31 is obtained and the final thickness of the substrate 31 is equal to the thickness of the membrane electrode 322. The silicon oxide layer can play an insulating role and reduce the internal resistance of the silicon plate. Using silicon processing technology, microstructure units can be efficiently processed, which is conducive to the fabrication and integration of on-chip micro fuel cells.

The membrane electrode 322 is sequentially composed of an anode diffusion layer, an anode catalytic layer, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode catalytic layer, and a cathode diffusion layer. The fuel and oxygen are respectively introduced from the anode side and the cathode side. Collected on the anode side, and then conducted to the cathode side through an external circuit to form a current. The anode collector 321 is arranged on the anode side of the membrane electrode 322, and the cathode collector 323 is arranged on the cathode side of the membrane electrode 322 for collecting and conducting electrons. In this embodiment, the anode collector 321 and the cathode collector 323 are meshes The collector electrode is preferably a stainless steel mesh, so that the fuel can be uniformly transferred, and at the same time, the contact resistance can be reduced, and the current collection effect can be improved.

Each membrane electrode 322 is correspondingly embedded in a mounting through hole 325 on the substrate 31 , and the anode side of the membrane electrode 322 faces the anode end plate 1 . In this way, through the fuel flow channel groove 11 on the anode end plate 1 , multiple The anode side of each membrane electrode 322 provides fuel for the oxidation reaction to occur. A conductor (not shown in the figure) is provided in the first circuit through hole 326, and both ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode collector 321 and the cathode collector 323 of the two battery cells adjacent in the series direction, thereby connecting a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are connected in series in sequence to increase the voltage of the battery module. The electrical conductor may be a viscous conductive material filled in the first circuit via 326, including but not limited to conductive silver paste.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , one side of the anode collector 321 has an extension portion 320 , and the extension portion 320 is provided with a second circuit through hole 329 . The structure of the cathode collector 323 is the same as that of the anode collector 321. One side of the cathode collector 323 has an extension portion, and the extension portion is provided with a third circuit through hole. When assembling the battery cells, first embed and fix the membrane electrode 322 in the mounting through hole 325 on the substrate 31, and then connect the anode collector 321 of one of the two adjacent battery cells in the series direction with the other one. One cathode collector 323 is placed on both sides of the substrate 31 respectively, and the extension parts on the two collectors are respectively turned to the two sides of the same first circuit through hole 326, so that the first circuit through hole 326, the anode collector The second line through hole 329 on the electrode 321 and the third line through hole on the cathode collector 323 are aligned with three holes, and then conductive silver paste is injected into the through holes, so that the conductive silver paste continuously fills the first line through hole 326 and the third line through hole 326. The second line through hole 329 and the third line through hole can realize the connection between the anode collector 321 and the cathode collector 323 of the two adjacent battery cells in the series direction, and then the battery cells are connected in series, and can The anode collector 321 and the cathode collector 323 are fixed on the substrate 31 by the viscosity of the conductive silver paste, and so on, the assembly and series connection of all the battery cells can be completed, and the battery cell array 3 of the patch structure is obtained, The assembly process is simple and the integration is high. Using the characteristics of high viscosity and strong electrical conductivity of the conductive silver paste, the anode collector 321, the membrane electrode 322 and the cathode collector 323 can be in close contact to reduce the contact resistance, and at the same time play a series conductive function, and increase the voltage of the battery module , The theoretical voltage can reach 6v-8v. It can be understood that, in order to achieve electrical connection, the anode collector 321 and the cathode collector 323 may not be provided with the second circuit through hole 329 and the third circuit through hole, for example, the anode collector 321 and the cathode collector 323 The extension portion may have a flat surface or only blind holes, so that the conductive silver paste can also conduct the collector electrodes on both sides through the first circuit through holes 326 .

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 , among the plurality of battery cells, the anode collector 321 of one battery cell is provided with a first lead end 327 , and the first lead end 327 is an extension formed on one side of the anode collector 321 . part. Correspondingly, the cathode collector 323 of another battery cell in the plurality of battery cells is provided with a second lead end 328 , and the second lead end 328 is an extension formed on one side of the cathode collector 323 . In this embodiment, the battery cells are arranged on the substrate 31 in an array of 3 rows×4 columns, and are connected in series column by column along the lateral direction. For example, referring to the orientation of FIG. 2 , the battery cells in the same column are connected in sequence. , the battery cell in the upper left corner is the starting point of the series connection, the lowermost battery cell in the first column on the left is connected with the lowermost battery cell in the second column on the left, and the uppermost battery cell in the second column on the left is connected with the lowermost battery cell in the second column on the left The uppermost battery cell in the second column is connected, and the lowermost battery cell in the second column on the right is connected with the lowermost battery cell in the first column on the right. The monomers are connected in series in sequence. The anode collector 321 of the battery cell located at the start of the series is provided with a first terminal 327, and the cathode collector 323 of the battery cell located at the end of the series is provided with a second terminal 328. It can be understood that the start and end points of the series can also be exchange. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first lead end 327 and the second lead end 328 extend beyond the edges of the cathode end plate 2 and the anode end plate 1 , and are used for connection with external equipment, such as external test equipment to test the performance of the battery module.

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the cathode end plate 2 is provided with oxygen inlets 21 corresponding to the cathode collectors 323 respectively, so that oxygen can be supplied to the cathode side of the membrane electrode 322 to cause a reduction reaction to ensure that each battery The normal operation of the monomer makes the performance of the battery module stable. Anode end plate 1 can be prepared by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Specifically, first prepare SINWE Xinwei No. 909 No. AB group transparent material, take the AB group with a mass ratio of 10:1, stir and mix thoroughly and pour it out. Into the mold with a cavity depth of 5mm and a length and width of 50mm × 36mm. After that, let it stand for 30 minutes to make the fine air bubbles in the mixture suspend to the top, and then place it in a vacuum drying oven for vacuum drying for 30 minutes until there are no air bubbles. Next, heat the mixture for 70 to 90 minutes in a vacuum environment of 65° C. to solidify the mixture. By controlling the total amount of the AB group mixture, the thickness of the cathode end plate 2 can be controlled to be 0.5 mm. Finally, a plurality of oxygen inlets 21 corresponding to the positions of the mounting through holes 325 on the base plate 31 are cut out on the cathode end plate 2 using a 5 mm cone.

The use of PDMS material to prepare the anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 2 has the advantages of low cost, easy preparation, and simple processing method, which not only reduces the weight of the battery module, but also facilitates the manufacture of the battery sheet structure, making the sheet battery easy to realize .

In this embodiment, the membrane electrode 322 is fixed in the installation through hole 325 by a waterproof adhesive. When the membrane electrode 322 is installed, the inner wall of the installation through hole 325 is evenly smeared with polyurethane glue, and then embedded with the same size as the installation through hole 325 The membrane electrode 322 is solidified in the mounting through hole 325, which plays a sealing role, prevents the methanol solution on the anode side from leaking to the cathode side of the membrane electrode 322, and prevents short circuit inside the battery. The anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 2 are fixed on both sides of the battery cell array 3 by a waterproof adhesive, and the substrate 31 covers the fuel flow channel groove 11 of the anode end plate 1, which can prevent the methanol solution from leaking out. The first circuit through holes 326 and the plurality of installation through holes 325 are alternately arranged along the series direction between the battery cells, and the series direction between the battery cells is consistent with the direction of the fuel flow channel groove 11 . In this way, all the anode collectors 321 The extension parts 320 of the above can be placed in the projection area of the fuel flow channel groove 11, which is beneficial to improve the sealing performance of the package.

The direct methanol fuel cell module of the present application includes an anode end plate, a battery cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, and the side of the anode end plate facing the battery cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel, and the battery cell array is provided with a fuel flow channel. It includes a base plate and a plurality of battery cells, the base plate is provided with a plurality of installation through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, each battery cell includes an anode collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode collector arranged in sequence, and each membrane electrode Correspondingly embedded in a mounting through hole, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, the first circuit through hole is provided with a conductor, and the two ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode collector and cathode collector of different battery cells, so that multiple battery cells are connected in series with each other. The battery cell array of the present application includes a substrate and a plurality of battery cells, the substrate is provided with a plurality of through holes for battery cell installation and electrical connection, the anode side of the membrane electrode of the battery cell faces the anode end plate, and A fuel flow channel groove is arranged on the anode end plate, so that the fuel cell units can be connected in series and easily integrated, and the applicability of the direct methanol fuel cell in the field of portable electronic equipment is effectively improved.

The above-mentioned embodiments merely illustrate the principles and effects of the present application, but are not intended to limit the present application. Anyone skilled in the art can make modifications or changes to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical idea disclosed in this application should still be covered by the claims of this application.

Claims (10)

1. A direct methanol fuel cell module, characterized in that it comprises an anode end plate, a battery cell array and a cathode end plate arranged in sequence, and the side of the anode end plate toward the battery cell array is provided with A fuel flow channel groove, the battery cell array includes a base plate and a plurality of battery cells, the base plate is provided with a plurality of mounting through holes and a plurality of first circuit through holes, and each of the battery cells includes sequentially arranged An anode collector, a membrane electrode and a cathode collector, each of the membrane electrodes is correspondingly embedded in one of the mounting through holes, and the anode side of the membrane electrode faces the anode end plate, and the first circuit through hole A conductor is provided, and both ends of the conductor are respectively connected to the anode collector and the cathode collector of different battery cells, so as to connect the plurality of battery cells in series. 2 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the anode collector is provided with a second line through hole, the cathode collector is provided with a third line through hole, and the first line through hole is provided. 3 . Two ends of the circuit through hole are respectively connected to the second circuit through hole and the third circuit through hole, and the conductor is formed in the second circuit through hole and the third circuit through hole. 3 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 2 , wherein the electrical conductor is filled in the first circuit through hole, the second circuit through hole, and the third circuit through hole. 4 . Viscous conductive material in . 4. The direct methanol fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of first circuit through holes and the plurality of installation through holes are located along the distance between the battery cells. The series direction between the battery cells is alternately arranged, and the series direction between the battery cells is consistent with the direction of the fuel flow channel. 5 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel flow channel groove and the anode end plate are integrally formed. 6 . 6 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 5 , wherein the anode end plate is provided with a liquid injection channel and a liquid outlet channel, and the liquid injection channel communicates with the side surface of the anode end plate and the The starting end of the fuel flow channel slot, and the liquid outlet channel communicates the side surface of the anode end plate with the end of the fuel flow channel slot. 7 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the anode collector and the cathode collector are mesh collectors. 8 . 8 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the anode collector and the cathode collector are stainless steel meshes, the substrate is a silicon plate with a silicon oxide layer on the surface, and the The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are polydimethylsiloxane end plates, and the cathode end plate is provided with an oxygen inlet corresponding to each of the cathode collectors. 9 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein, among the plurality of battery cells, the anode collector of one battery cell and the cathode collector of the other battery cell are set. 10 . There are lead ends, and the lead ends extend beyond the edges of the cathode end plate and the anode end plate. 10 . The direct methanol fuel cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane electrode is fixed in the installation through hole by a waterproof adhesive, and the anode end plate and the cathode end plate pass through 10 . Waterproof adhesives are fixed on both sides of the battery cell array.

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