Solid polymer fuel cell

Abstract

A solid polymer fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolytic membrane, an anodecontacting one of the faces of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane, a cathodecontacting the other face of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane, and a gas-liquid separation membraneenclosing a MEAincluding the solid polymer electrolytic membrane, the anode, and the cathode, and which transmits gas but not liquid. An end face of the gas-liquid separation membraneis sealed, and the MEAis isolated from outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane. The anodeand the cathoderespectively include an electrode terminal extending from an end portion thereof, and the electrode terminal is exposed to outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane, through an end portion thereof. With such structure, a fuel is supplied in a form of vapor to the anodethrough the gas-liquid separation membraneopposing the anode, and a reaction product from the anodeis discharged through the gas-liquid separation membranelocated on a lateral side of the anode, and at least oxygen is supplied to the cathodethrough the gas-liquid separation membraneopposing the cathode