Fuel cell and manufacturing method of the fuel cell

Abstract

In order to prevent an electrolyte membrane from being broken, and make an assembling steps of a cell easy, in a fuel cell provided with a membrane electrode complex in which catalyst layers are respectively arranged on both surfaces of a electrolyte membrane, first and second gas diffusion layers which are arranged on both surfaces of the electrode complex, separators for respectively supplying reaction gas to the first and second gas diffusion layers, and a gasket for sealing the reaction gas, the gasket is formed on a surface of the gas diffusion layer so as to oppose to the separator, at least the gasket forming portion of the gas diffusion layer has a lower void content than the portion in contact with the catalyst layer, and the gasket arranged in the first and second gas diffusion layers is integrally formed at least via a through hole passing through the first and second gas diffusion layers.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A fuel cell comprising:
 a membrane electrode complex in which catalyst layers are respectively arranged on both surfaces of a electrolyte membrane;   first and second gas diffusion layers which are arranged on both surfaces of the electrode complex;   separators for respectively supplying reaction gas to the first and second gas diffusion layers; and   a gasket for sealing the reaction gas,   wherein the gasket is formed on a surface of the gas diffusion layer so as to oppose to the separator, at least the gasket forming portion of the gas diffusion layer has a lower void content than the portion which is in contact with the catalyst layer, and the gasket arranged in the first and second gas diffusion layers is integrally farmed so as to cover at least end portions of the first and second gas diffusion layers.   
     
     
         3 . A fuel cell comprising:
 a membrane electrode complex in which catalyst layers are respectively arranged on both surfaces of a electrolyte membrane;   first and second gas diffusion layers which are arranged on both surfaces of the electrode complex;   separators for respectively supplying reaction gas to the first and second gas diffusion layers; and   a gasket for sealing the reaction gas,   wherein the gasket is formed on a surface of the gas diffusion layer so as to oppose to the separator, at least the gasket forming portion of the gas diffusion layer has a reduced void content in comparison with the portion which is in contact with the catalyst layer.   
     
     
         4 . A method of manufacturing a fuel cell gasket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein an adhesive agent is applied to the gasket forming portion having the lower void content in the gas diffusion layer, and the gasket formed in a predetermined shape is bonded thereon. 
     
     
         5 . A method of manufacturing a fuel cell gasket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein an adhesive agent is applied to the gasket forming portion having the lower void content in the gas diffusion layer, and the gasket is formed thereon in accordance with any one of an injection molding method, a print method, a dispenser method, a spray method and a compression molding method. 
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing a fuel cell gasket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the gasket is formed in the gasket forming portion having the lower void content in the gas diffusion layer in accordance with any one of an injection molding method, a print method, a dispenser method, a spray method and a compression molding method by using an adhesive rubber as a material. 
     
     
         7 . A method of manufacturing a fuel cell gasket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a surface roughness is secured in the gasket forming portion having the lower void content in the gas diffusion layer, and the gasket is formed thereon in accordance with any one of an injection molding method, a print method, a dispenser method, a spray method and a compression molding method. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a gasket of a fuel cell comprising the steps of:
 arranging and bonding first and second gas diffusion layers on both surfaces of a membrane electrode complex in which catalyst layers are respectively arranged at least on both surfaces of a electrolyte membrane; and   thereafter forming a gasket on the gasket diffusion layer surface facing to a separator by rubber or resin and simultaneously carrying out an impregnation process in the gasket forming portion of the gas diffusion layer.