JP2008186799A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high output fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell is provided with a cathode 12, an anode 15, a membrane electrode assembly containing an electrolyte membrane 16 arranged between the cathode 12 and the anode 15 and a fuel supplying means 20 for supplying fuel to the anode 15. The anode 15 contains an anode catalyst layer 13 and an anode gas diffusion layer 14 laminated on the anode catalyst layer 13, and the anode gas diffusion layer 14 contains a conductive porous body 14a, a hydrophilic polymer layer 14b formed on the one surface of the conductive porous body 14a and a hydrophobic polymer layer 14c, and the anode catalyst layer 13 is arranged to face the hydrophilic polymer layer 14b or the hydrophobic polymer layer 14c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  In recent years, various electronic devices such as personal computers and mobile phones have been miniaturized with the development of semiconductor technology, and attempts have been made to use fuel cells as power sources for these small devices. Fuel cells have the advantage that they can generate electricity simply by supplying fuel and oxidant, and can continuously generate electricity if only the fuel is replaced. This is a very advantageous system. In particular, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) use methanol with high energy density as fuel and can directly extract current from methanol on the electrode catalyst, so a reformer is not required and the size can be reduced. It is possible and the fuel is easier to handle than hydrogen gas fuel, so it is promising as a power source for small equipment.

  DMFC fuel supply methods include gas supply type DMFC that vaporizes liquid fuel and then feeds it into the fuel cell with a blower, etc., liquid supply type DMFC that feeds liquid fuel directly into the fuel cell with a pump and the like, and fuel An internal vaporization type DMFC that vaporizes and uses liquid fuel in a battery is known. Of these, the internal vaporization type DMFC does not require large-scale equipment such as a pump or blower for fuel supply. Therefore, if the fuel concentration can be increased to reduce the size of the liquid fuel storage, high energy density can be achieved. A small fuel cell can be realized. For example, in Patent Document 1, an aqueous methanol solution or liquid methanol exceeding 50 mol% is used as the liquid fuel, and water generated in the cathode catalyst layer is supplied to the anode catalyst layer through the proton conductive membrane, thereby achieving a small and high output. A fuel cell has been realized.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, as a gas diffusion layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a gas diffusion layer is reacted with a gas diffusion layer by using a conductive porous base material on which a slurry layer containing a water-repellent resin is formed. Increasing the contact area between layers is described.

  In Patent Document 3, at least two microporous layers made of materials having different water repellency are arranged between the electrode catalyst layer and the oxidant gas diffusion base material in the cathode side gas diffusion electrode. Thus, it is disclosed to improve drainage and gas diffusibility in high current density operation at the cathode.

Furthermore, according to Patent Document 4, according to the fuel cell gas diffusion layer in which the gas diffusion base material layer, the water vapor condensation layer, and the water evaporation layer are laminated, the drainage and water retention of the gas diffusion layer are improved. It is disclosed that the power generation performance of a fuel cell is improved.
International Publication Number WO2005 / 112172 A1 JP 2002-313359 A JP 2006-4879 JP 2006-179315 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a high-power fuel cell.

A fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a cathode, an anode, a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the anode. A battery,
The anode includes an anode catalyst layer and an anode gas diffusion layer laminated on the anode catalyst layer,
The anode gas diffusion layer includes a conductive porous body, a hydrophilic polymer layer formed on one surface of the conductive porous body, and a hydrophobic polymer formed on the other surface of the conductive porous body. Including layers,
The anode catalyst layer is opposed to the hydrophilic polymer layer or the hydrophobic polymer layer.

  According to the present invention, a high-power fuel cell can be provided.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of an internal vaporization fuel cell is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a direct methanol fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A fuel cell 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a fuel cell body 4 mainly composed of a fuel cell 2 and a fuel storage unit 3 as an electromotive unit, and a satellite type (external injection) for supplying liquid fuel to the fuel storage unit 3. And a fuel cartridge 5 of the formula). A fuel supply section 7 having a socket section 6 serving as a liquid fuel supply port is provided on the lower surface side of the fuel storage section 3. The socket part 6 has a built-in valve mechanism and is closed except when liquid fuel is supplied.

  On the other hand, the fuel cartridge 5 has a cartridge body 8 as a liquid fuel storage container that stores liquid fuel for a fuel cell. At the tip of the cartridge main body 8, a nozzle portion 9 is provided as a fuel outlet when supplying the liquid fuel accommodated therein to the fuel cell main body 4. The nozzle unit 9 has a built-in valve mechanism and is closed except when liquid fuel is supplied. Such a fuel cartridge 5 is connected to the fuel cell main body 4 only when, for example, liquid fuel is injected into the fuel storage unit 3.

  The socket portion 6 provided in the fuel storage portion 3 of the fuel cell main body 4 and the nozzle portion 9 provided in the cartridge main body 8 of the fuel cartridge 5 constitute a pair of connection mechanisms (couplers).

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a fuel cell main body 4 mainly composed of a fuel cell 2 and a fuel storage unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) as the fuel cell 2 includes a cathode (oxidant electrode) 12 including a cathode catalyst layer 10 and a cathode gas diffusion layer 11, an anode catalyst layer 13, and an anode gas. An anode (fuel electrode) 15 composed of a diffusion layer 14 and a proton conductive electrolyte membrane 16 disposed between the cathode catalyst layer 10 and the anode catalyst layer 13 are provided. The cathode catalyst layer 10 is laminated on the cathode gas diffusion layer 11, and the anode catalyst layer 13 is laminated on the anode gas diffusion layer 14. The cathode gas diffusion layer 11 plays a role of uniformly supplying the oxidant to the cathode catalyst layer 10, but also serves as a current collector of the cathode catalyst layer 10. On the other hand, the anode gas diffusion layer 14 serves to uniformly supply fuel to the anode catalyst layer 13 and also serves as a current collector for the anode catalyst layer 13.

  The anode gas diffusion layer 14 includes a conductive porous body 14a, a hydrophilic polymer layer 14b formed on one surface of the conductive porous body 14a, and a hydrophobic surface formed on the other surface of the conductive porous body 14a. And a polymer layer 14c. The hydrophilic polymer layer 14 b faces the anode catalyst layer 13.

  As the conductive porous body 14a, for example, carbon paper can be used.

  The hydrophilic polymer layer 14b is formed of a hydrophilic polymer such as polystyrene sulfonic acid, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyamide (for example, nylon 6), amylose, starch, polyhydroxymethylene, and the like. . The kind of hydrophilic polymer used can be one kind or two or more kinds.

  The hydrophobic polymer layer 14c is made of, for example, a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

  The anode gas diffusion layer 14 is produced by, for example, the following method (A) or (B).

  (A) After dipping one side of carbon paper (conductive porous body 14a) in a hydrophilic polymer solution, the carbon paper is pulled up, naturally dried, and then dried at 80 to 100 ° C., thereby making the carbon paper hydrophilic. The polymer layer 14b is formed. After the opposite surface of the carbon paper is immersed in the hydrophobic polymer solution, the carbon paper is pulled up and naturally dried for 6 hours or more, thereby forming the hydrophobic polymer layer 14c on the opposite surface of the carbon paper. Thereafter, the anode gas diffusion layer 14 is obtained by performing a baking treatment in an inert gas furnace.

  (B) A hydrophobic polymer solution is sprayed (applied) on one side of the carbon paper (conductive porous body 14a) using a spray, and is naturally dried. Next, a hydrophobic polymer layer 14c is formed on the carbon paper by performing a baking process in an inert gas furnace. The surface on the opposite side of the carbon paper is immersed in a hydrophilic polymer solution, the carbon paper is pulled up, dried naturally at 80 to 100 ° C., and then dried on the surface on the opposite side of the carbon paper. 14b is formed, and the anode gas diffusion layer 14 is obtained.

  The anode gas diffusion layer 14 produced by the method (A) has high adhesion between the conductive porous body 14a and the hydrophilic polymer layer 14b, and the hydrophilic polymer layer is stable over a long period of time. This is desirable because the long-term power generation performance can be further improved.

  Examples of the catalyst contained in the cathode catalyst layer 10 and the anode catalyst layer 13 include platinum group elemental metals (Pt, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, Pd, etc.), alloys containing platinum group elements, and the like. be able to. Although it is desirable to use Pt-Ru which has strong resistance to methanol and carbon monoxide as the anode catalyst and platinum as the cathode catalyst, it is not limited to this. Further, a supported catalyst using a conductive support such as a carbon material may be used, or an unsupported catalyst may be used. For the cathode gas diffusion layer 11, for example, carbon paper can be used.

  Examples of the proton conductive material constituting the proton conductive electrolyte membrane 16 include a fluorine resin having a sulfonic acid group (for example, perfluorosulfonic acid polymer), a hydrocarbon resin having a sulfonic acid group, tungstic acid, and the like. Examples thereof include inorganic substances such as phosphotungstic acid, but are not limited thereto.

  The cathode conductive layer 17a and the anode conductive layer 17b are in contact with the cathode gas diffusion layer 11 and the anode gas diffusion layer 14, respectively. As the cathode conductive layer 17a and the anode conductive layer 17b, for example, porous layers (for example, meshes) made of a metal material such as gold can be used.

  The rectangular frame-shaped cathode sealing material 18 a is located between the cathode conductive layer 17 a and the proton conductive electrolyte membrane 16 and surrounds the periphery of the cathode 12. On the other hand, the rectangular frame-shaped anode sealing material 18 b is located between the anode conductive layer 17 b and the proton conductive electrolyte membrane 16 and surrounds the periphery of the anode 15. The cathode sealing material 18 a and the anode sealing material 18 b are O-rings for preventing fuel leakage and oxidant leakage from the membrane electrode assembly 2.

  Below the membrane electrode assembly 2, a liquid fuel storage unit 3 as a fuel storage unit is disposed. A liquid fuel 19 is accommodated in the liquid fuel storage unit 3. As the liquid fuel 19, a methanol fuel such as an aqueous methanol solution or pure methanol is used. The concentration of the aqueous methanol solution is preferably set to a concentration exceeding 50 mol%. The purity of pure methanol is desirably 95% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. Thereby, a small fuel cell having high energy density and excellent output characteristics can be realized.

  Between the liquid fuel storage unit 3 and the anode, a gas-liquid separation layer 20 for supplying a vaporized component (vaporized fuel) of the liquid fuel to the anode is disposed as a fuel supply means. The gas-liquid separation layer 20 is a membrane that allows only vaporized fuel to permeate and does not allow liquid fuel to permeate. For the gas-liquid separation layer 20, for example, a water-repellent membrane having methanol permeability can be used. Examples of the water-repellent film having methanol permeability include a silicone sheet, a polyethylene porous film, a polypropylene porous film, a polyethylene-polypropylene porous film, and a polytetrafluoroethylene porous film.

  A frame 21 is disposed between the gas-liquid separation layer 20 and the anode conductive layer 17b. The space surrounded by the frame 21 functions as a vaporized fuel storage chamber 22 for adjusting the amount of vaporized fuel supplied to the anode.

  On the other hand, a frame 23 is laminated on the cathode conductive layer 17 a of the membrane electrode assembly 2. On the frame 23, a moisture retention plate 24 (humidity retention layer) that suppresses the transpiration of water generated in the cathode catalyst layer 10 is laminated. The moisturizing plate 24 functions as water supply means for supplying water produced at the cathode to the anode. That is, the moisture retention plate 24 can increase the amount of moisture retained in the cathode catalyst layer 10 as the power generation reaction proceeds in order to suppress the evaporation of moisture from the cathode. For this reason, a state in which the moisture retention amount of the cathode catalyst layer 10 is larger than the moisture retention amount of the anode catalyst layer 13 is created. As a result, since the osmotic pressure phenomenon is promoted, the water generated in the cathode catalyst layer 10 passes through the proton conductive membrane 16 and is supplied to the anode catalyst layer 13.

  It is desirable that the moisture retaining plate 24 is made of an insulating material that is inert to methanol and has dissolution resistance, oxygen permeability, and moisture permeability. Examples of such an insulating material include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

The moisture retention plate 24 preferably has an air permeability specified by JIS P-8117-1998 of 50 seconds / 100 cm ³ or less. This is because if the air permeability exceeds 50 seconds / 100 cm ³ , air diffusion from the air inlet 25 to the cathode may be hindered and high output may not be obtained. A more preferable range of the air permeability is 10 seconds / 100 cm ³ or less.

The moisture retention plate 24 preferably has a moisture permeability of 6000 g / m ² 24 h or less as defined by the JIS L-1099-1993 A-1 method. In addition, the value of the said water vapor transmission rate is a value of the temperature of 40 +/- 2 degreeC as shown by the measuring method of JIS L-1099-1993 A-1. This is because if the moisture permeability exceeds 6000 g / m ² 24 h, the amount of water evaporated from the cathode increases, and the effect of promoting water diffusion from the cathode to the anode may not be sufficiently obtained. Further, if the water vapor transmission rate is less than 500 g / m ² 24 h, an excessive amount of water may be supplied to the anode and high output may not be obtained. Therefore, the water vapor transmission rate is in the range of 500 to 6000 g / m ² 24 h. It is desirable to do. A more preferable range of moisture permeability is 1000 to 4000 g / m ² 24 h.

  A cover 26 in which a plurality of air inlets 25 for taking in air as an oxidant is formed is laminated on the moisture retaining plate 24. Since the cover 26 also plays a role of pressurizing the stack including the membrane electrode assembly 2 to enhance its adhesion, for example, from a metal such as SUS304, carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, titanium alloy, nickel alloy. It is formed.

  The liquid fuel 19 is not necessarily limited to methanol fuel, and may be, for example, an ethanol fuel such as an ethanol aqueous solution or pure ethanol, dimethyl ether, formic acid, or other liquid fuel. In any case, liquid fuel corresponding to the fuel cell is accommodated.

  In the fuel cell according to the first embodiment described above, evaporation of water generated at the cathode by power generation is suppressed by the moisturizing layer, so that water accumulates in the cathode as power generation proceeds. This water is supplied to the anode through the electrolyte membrane by an osmotic pressure phenomenon. Since the hydrophilic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer faces the anode catalyst layer, the water retention effect of the anode can be enhanced. As a result, since the electrical resistance value of the anode is lowered, the output is improved, and the high output can be maintained for a long time.

  Further, since the hydrophobic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer is located outside the membrane electrode assembly, the amount of catalyst supported on the anode can be increased. That is, the anode used in the first embodiment is obtained by applying a slurry containing a catalyst to the hydrophilic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer and drying it. Since the hydrophobic polymer layer prevents the slurry from permeating the anode gas diffusion layer, the amount of catalyst supported on the anode can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
The fuel cell according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the fuel cell according to the first embodiment, except that the hydrophobic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer faces the anode catalyst layer. A membrane electrode assembly 2 used in the fuel cell according to the second embodiment is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hydrophobic polymer layer 14c of the anode gas diffusion layer 14 faces the anode catalyst layer 13, and the opposite surface of the anode gas diffusion layer 14 is the hydrophilic polymer layer 14b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress water that has moved from the cathode 12 through the electrolyte membrane 16 from passing through the anode gas diffusion layer 14. As a result, water remains on the surface of the anode gas diffusion layer 14, so that the water retention effect of the anode catalyst layer 13 can be enhanced. Thereby, since the electrical resistance value of the anode is lowered, the output is improved, and the high output can be maintained for a long time.

  As described above, according to the fuel cells according to the first and second embodiments, the output performance is improved. In order to obtain a sufficient effect, the fuel cell according to the first embodiment is preferable.

[Example]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
<Production of anode>
Polystyrene sulfonic acid is prepared as a hydrophilic polymer, one side of carbon paper is immersed in an aqueous solution of polystyrene sulfonic acid for 30 minutes, the carbon paper is pulled up, dried naturally at 80 to 100 ° C., and then dried at 80 to 100 ° C. A hydrophilic polymer layer was formed on the paper. Next, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is prepared as a hydrophobic polymer, and the surface opposite to the carbon paper (surface not subjected to hydrophilization treatment) is immersed in a PTFE dispersion for 30 seconds. Was pulled up and allowed to dry naturally for 6 hours or longer to form a hydrophobic polymer layer on the opposite surface of the carbon paper. Then, the anode gas diffusion layer was obtained by performing a baking process in an inert gas furnace.

  A perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid solution, water and methoxypropanol were added to an anode catalyst (Pt: Ru = 1: 1) supported carbon black, and the catalyst supported carbon black was dispersed to prepare a paste. The obtained paste was applied to the hydrophilic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer to obtain an anode catalyst layer.

<Production of cathode>
A perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid solution, water and methoxypropanol were added to the cathode catalyst (Pt) -supported carbon black, and the catalyst-supported carbon black was dispersed to prepare a paste. The obtained paste was applied to porous carbon paper as a cathode gas diffusion layer to obtain a cathode catalyst layer.

  Between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membrane having a water content of 10 to 20% by weight (nafion membrane, manufactured by DuPont) is disposed as a proton conductive electrolyte membrane and subjected to hot pressing. As a result, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was obtained.

  A silicone rubber sheet was prepared as a gas-liquid separation membrane.

As a moisture retaining plate, the thickness is 500 μm, the air permeability is 2 seconds / 100 cm ³ (JIS P-8117-1998), and the moisture permeability is 4000 g / m ² 24 h (JIS L-1099-1993 A-1 method). A polyethylene porous film was prepared.

  An internal vaporization type direct methanol fuel cell having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 described above was assembled using the obtained membrane electrode assembly, a moisturizing plate and a gas-liquid separation membrane.

  The fuel cartridge contained methanol having a purity of 99.9% by weight. Liquid fuel was supplied to the liquid fuel storage part of the fuel cell using this fuel cartridge.

(Example 2)
A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution was used as the hydrophilic polymer solution.

(Example 3)
An anode catalyst layer was obtained by applying a paste having the same composition as described in Example 1 to the hydrophobic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer similar to that described in Example 1. A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that the obtained anode was used.

Example 4
A PTFE dispersion as a hydrophobic polymer solution was sprayed (applied) on one side of the carbon paper with a spray and allowed to dry naturally. Next, a hydrophobic polymer layer was formed on the carbon paper by performing a baking treatment in an inert gas furnace.

  The other side of the carbon paper (the surface not subjected to hydrophobic treatment) is immersed in a polystyrene sulfonic acid aqueous solution as a hydrophilic polymer solution for 30 minutes, and then the carbon paper is pulled up and dried at 80 to 100 ° C. after natural drying. By drying, a hydrophilic polymer layer was formed on the opposite surface of the carbon paper to obtain an anode gas diffusion layer.

  An anode catalyst layer was obtained by applying a paste having the same composition as described in Example 1 to the obtained hydrophilic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer. A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that the obtained anode was used.

(Example 5)
An anode catalyst layer was obtained by applying a paste having the same composition as described in Example 1 to the hydrophobic polymer layer of the anode gas diffusion layer similar to that described in Example 4. A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that the obtained anode was used.

(Example 6)
A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution was used as the hydrophilic polymer solution.

(Example 7)
A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that an aqueous cellulose solution was used as the hydrophilic polymer solution.

(Example 8)
A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that an aqueous hydroxypropylcellulose solution was used for the hydrophilic polymer solution.

(Comparative example)
A porous carbon paper was used for the anode gas diffusion layer, and an anode catalyst layer was obtained by applying a paste having the same composition as described in Example 1 to the carbon paper. A direct methanol fuel cell was assembled in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that the obtained anode was used.

  The obtained fuel cell was continuously operated for 1000 hours, and the change with time of the current value is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is the operating time (hour), and the vertical axis is the current value (mA).

  As is clear from FIG. 4, the fuel cells of Examples 1 to 8 have a higher current value than that of the fuel cell of the comparative example, and maintain the high value for a long period of time.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  For example, in the above description, the structure of the fuel cell has been described with a structure having a fuel storage section below the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), but the fuel supply from the fuel storage section to the MEA is performed via the flow path. The structure to perform may be sufficient. In addition, although the passive type fuel cell has been described as an example of the configuration of the fuel cell main body, the active type fuel cell and further the semi-passive type fuel cell using a pump or the like in part such as the fuel supply means. However, the present invention can be applied. Even if it is these structures, the effect similar to the above-mentioned description is acquired.

The schematic diagram which shows the direct methanol type fuel cell which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows typically 1st Embodiment of the fuel cell main body of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically 2nd Embodiment of the fuel cell main body of FIG. The characteristic view which shows the time-dependent change of the electric current value of the fuel cell of an Example and a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell, 2 ... Fuel cell (membrane electrode assembly), 3 ... Fuel storage part, 4 ... Fuel cell main body, 5 ... Fuel cartridge, 6 ... Socket part, 7 ... Fuel supply part, 8 ... Cartridge main body, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Nozzle part, 10 ... Cathode catalyst layer, 11 ... Cathode gas diffusion layer, 12 ... Cathode, 13 ... Anode catalyst layer, 14 ... Anode gas diffusion layer, 14a ... Conductive porous body, 14b ... Hydrophilic polymer layer, 14c ... hydrophobic polymer layer, 15 ... anode, 16 ... proton conductive electrolyte membrane, 17a ... cathode conductive layer, 17b ... anode conductive layer, 18a ... cathode sealing material, 18b ... anode sealing material, 19 ... liquid fuel, 20 ... fuel supply means, 21, 23 ... frame, 22 ... vaporized fuel storage chamber, 24 ... moisture retaining layer, 25 ... air inlet, 26 ... cover.

Claims (4)

A fuel cell comprising a cathode, an anode, a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the anode,
The anode includes an anode catalyst layer and an anode gas diffusion layer laminated on the anode catalyst layer,
The anode gas diffusion layer includes a conductive porous body, a hydrophilic polymer layer formed on one surface of the conductive porous body, and a hydrophobic polymer formed on the other surface of the conductive porous body. Including layers,
The fuel cell, wherein the anode catalyst layer is opposed to the hydrophilic polymer layer or the hydrophobic polymer layer.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the conductive porous body is carbon paper.   The hydrophilic polymer layer includes at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene sulfonic acid, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyamide, amylose, starch, and polyhydroxymethylene. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:   The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel supply means is a gas-liquid separation layer for supplying vaporized fuel to the anode.

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