JP2006107898A - Separator for flat type polymer electrolyte fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separator with a very small contact resistance for a flat type polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a high effective area rate of unit cells. <P>SOLUTION: The separator for a flat type polymer electrolyte fuel cell is composed of a current collecting part on which not less than two pieces of conductive unit plates having a plurality of through-holes are arranged on a plane through gaps, and an electrically insulated outside frame body and a membrane-electrode complex body (MEA) side frame body integrated so as to pinch the current collecting part. The outside frame body and the membrane-electrode complex body (MEA) side frame body are made so as to have openings corresponding to the arrayed position of the conductive unit plates, and the conductive unit plate is formed into a shape of protruding toward the openings of the MEA side frame body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a separator for a fuel cell, and more particularly to a separator for a planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

A fuel cell is simply a device that continuously supplies fuel (reducing agent) and oxygen or air (oxidant) from the outside, and reacts electrochemically to extract electrical energy. It is classified by type, use, etc. In recent years, depending on the type of electrolyte used, it is largely divided into solid oxide fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and alkaline aqueous fuel cells. Generally, it is classified into 5 types.
These fuel cells use hydrogen gas generated from methane or the like as a fuel. Recently, a direct methanol fuel cell (hereinafter also referred to as DMFC) that directly uses an aqueous methanol solution as a fuel is also known. Yes.
In particular, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter also referred to as PEFC) having a structure in which a solid polymer membrane is sandwiched between two kinds of electrodes and these members are sandwiched between separators has attracted attention.

In this PEFC, a stack structure is generally used in which a plurality of unit cells each having an electrode are stacked on both sides of a solid polymer film, and the electromotive force is increased according to the purpose. In general, the separator disposed between the unit cells is provided with a fuel gas supply groove for supplying fuel gas to the adjacent unit cell on the side surface. In such a separator, fuel gas and oxidant gas are supplied along the separator surface.
PEFC separators include a graphite plate cut into a groove, a carbon compound mold separator made by kneading carbon into a resin, a metal separator that has been grooved by etching, etc., and the surface of the metal material A separator or the like in which is covered with a corrosion-resistant resin is known. Each of these separators is formed with a groove for supplying fuel gas and / or a groove for supplying oxidant gas as required.

In addition to this stack structure fuel cell, there is a case where it is required to be as thin as possible with a flat type without requiring an electromotive force as much as a fuel cell for a portable terminal, for example. However, in the case of a planar type in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged in a plane and these are electrically connected in series, there is a problem that the supply of fuel and oxygen becomes uneven depending on the location.
Therefore, in order to improve the nonuniformity of the fuel supply, a large number of through holes are formed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the separator in contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and fuel and A separator having a structure for supplying oxygen has been considered (Patent Document 1).
In the present invention, a composite including an electrode portion positioned between a fuel supply side separator and an oxygen supply side separator of a fuel cell, for example, a gas diffusion layer, a fuel electrode comprising a catalyst layer, and a polymer electrolyte in that order. A composite such as a membrane, an oxygen electrode composed of a catalyst layer, and a membrane formed by laminating a gas diffusion layer is called a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
JP 2003-203647 A

However, in the conventional planar type DMFC in which the MEA as described above is sandwiched between the fuel supply side separator and the oxygen supply side separator, the MEA, the fuel supply side separator, the oxygen supply side separator, There is a problem that the contact between the two becomes insufficient and the contact resistance increases. In order to prevent this, it can be considered that the fuel supply side separator and the oxygen supply side separator located on both sides of the MEA are tightened with bolts to ensure the contact of each layer. However, if a width necessary for the above-described tightening action is provided between a plurality of unit cells arranged in a planar shape, there is a problem that the effective area of the unit cell is reduced.
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides a separator that enables a thin polymer electrolyte fuel cell with extremely low contact resistance and high unit cell effective area ratio. Objective.

  In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a separator for a planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which unit cells are arranged in a plane, wherein the unit conductive substrate having a plurality of through holes has voids. And two or more current collectors arranged in a plane, an electrically insulating outer frame and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame integrated so as to sandwich the current collector. The outer frame body and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body each have an opening corresponding to the arrangement position of the unit conductive substrate, and the unit conductive substrate includes the membrane electrode assembly ( MEA) The side frame was configured to protrude in the direction of the opening.

As another aspect of the present invention, the unit conductive substrate is configured to project in a dome shape within a range smaller than the area of the opening of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame, and the dome The projecting shape was shaped to form a catenary line.
As another aspect of the present invention, the unit conductive substrate has a configuration in which it protrudes with an offset smaller than the area of the opening of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame.
As another aspect of the present invention, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame and the outer frame are either a resin, a composite of a resin and an inorganic material, a metal provided with an insulating coating, or a ceramic. It was set as such a structure.

  According to the present invention, since the unit conductive substrate constituting the separator has a shape protruding in the direction of the opening of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame, the membrane electrode composite in the planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell Even if the body (MEA) swells, the separator has a high strength because the unit conductive substrate acts against the swelling stress, and thus the unit conductive substrate and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) The flat polymer electrolyte fuel cell has extremely low contact resistance and high power generation characteristics.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a separator for a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a current collector, an outer frame, and a membrane constituting the separator shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the electrode assembly (MEA) side frame in a separated state, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the separator shown in FIG. 1 to 3, the separator 1 of the present invention includes an outer frame 4 and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 that are integrated so as to sandwich the current collector 2.

The current collector 2 constituting the separator 1 is a unit in which three rectangular unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, and 2C having protrusions 3 are arranged in a plane via gaps 6, and each unit The conductive substrates 2 </ b> A, 2 </ b> B, and 2 </ b> C have a plurality of through holes 2 a in the protruding portion 3. The protrusion 3 is offset by an area and shape so as to enter the openings 5A, 5B, and 5C of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 described later, and the surface of the protrusion 3 is flat. Surface.
As a conductive material used for such a current collector 2 (unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C), a material having good electrical conductivity, a predetermined strength, and good workability is preferable. , Cold rolled steel sheet, aluminum, titanium, copper and the like.

The unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C are at least corrosion-resistant (acid-resistant) and electrically conductive resin layer on the side (surface provided with the protruding portion 3) that contacts the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 You may provide the protective layer which consists of. As a method for forming such a protective layer, a method of forming a film by electrodeposition using a material in which a conductive material such as carbon particles and corrosion-resistant metal is mixed in a resin and then heat-curing, or a conductive polymer is used. The method of forming the film | membrane of the state which contained the dopant which improves electroconductivity in the resin to be formed by electrolytic polymerization etc. is mentioned.
Further, the surface of the unit conductive substrate may be subjected to a plating process such as gold plating, and the corrosion resistant metal layer may be provided without impairing the conductivity. Furthermore, a protective layer having acid resistance and electrical conductivity may be disposed on such a corrosion-resistant metal layer.

  Each unit conductive substrate 2A, 2B, 2C provided with the protrusion 3 is processed into a predetermined shape by mechanical processing such as extrusion processing, press processing, etching processing using photolithography technology, etc. Through holes 2a for supplying or supplying oxygen are formed by these methods. There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the magnitude | size (opening diameter) of the through-hole 2a, For example, it can set suitably in the range of 0.05-10 mm. Further, the offset amount T (see FIG. 3) and the planar shape of the protruding portion 3 are appropriately set in consideration of the thickness and material of the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, and 2C, the area, shape, and number of the protruding portions 3. be able to.

  In the illustrated example, nine through holes 2a are formed in each unit conductive substrate 2A, 2B, 2C, but there are no particular restrictions on the number, position, etc. of formation. Further, the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C may be provided with a through hole 2a on the outside of the protruding portion 3, and the opening of the protruding portion 3 and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 described later. In consideration of the size, shape, and the like of the portions 5A, 5B, and 5C, the formation site of the through hole 2a can be appropriately set. In addition, the planar shape of the protruding portion 3 that is offset with respect to the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, and 2C is a rectangle in the illustrated example, but is not limited thereto, and may be a circle, an ellipse, or the like as appropriate. Can be set.

  The outer frame 4 integrated so as to sandwich the current collector 2 as described above has three openings 4A, 4B, 4C corresponding to the arrangement positions of the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C. 4C is provided. In the openings 4A, 4B, 4C, the through holes 2a of the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C constituting the current collector 2 are exposed. The size and shape of the openings 4A, 4B, 4C constituting the outer frame 4 depend on the area, shape, etc. of the through hole 2a of each unit conductive substrate 2A, 2B, 2C of the current collector 2 Can be set as appropriate.

  The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 integrated so as to sandwich the current collector 2 has three openings corresponding to the arrangement positions of the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C. This includes parts 5A, 5B, and 5C. And in each opening 5A, 5B, 5C, while the protrusion part 3 of each unit electroconductive board | substrate 2A, 2B, 2C which comprises the current collection part 2 is located, the through-hole 2a is exposed. The size and shape of the openings 5A, 5B, 5C constituting the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 are the shapes of the protrusions 3 of the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C of the current collector 2, It can be set as appropriate according to the size and the like.

  The materials of the outer frame body 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body 5 constituting the separator 1 are preferably insulative, workable, light, and have high mechanical strength. As such a material, a substrate material for a printed wiring board is used. For example, a resin such as polyimide, a composite of a resin such as glass epoxy and an inorganic material, a metal provided with an insulating film, ceramic, etc. Can be mentioned. As the metal provided with the insulating coating, for example, an Al-containing SUS material having an insulating coating formed on the surface by heat treatment, an Al material having an insulating coating formed on the surface by anodic oxidation, or the like can be used.

The outer frame 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 having a desired shape as described above can be formed by machining, laser processing, or the like. The outer frame 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 may have the same thickness or different thicknesses.
Further, the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C are disposed through the gap 6 therebetween, and are sandwiched integrally by the outer frame body 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body 5. The gap 6 may be, for example, filled with an insulating material such as an epoxy resin or a fluororesin as an adhesive.

  The separator 1 according to the present invention has a shape in which the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C having the above-described structure protrude in the direction of the openings 5A, 5B, 5C of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5. Therefore, even if the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) swells in the planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, and 2C exhibit an action against the swelling stress. As a result, reliable contact between the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, and 2C and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is maintained, and a uniform contact pressure can be obtained over the entire surface of each unit conductive substrate, thereby reducing contact resistance. As a result, a battery having a low internal resistance is obtained.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of a separator for a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the separator 11 of the present invention includes an outer frame 14 and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 that are integrated so as to sandwich the current collector 12.
The current collector 12 that constitutes the separator 11 is formed by arranging three rectangular unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C in a plane via the gap 16 in the same manner as the current collector 2 described above. is there. Each of the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C includes a dome-shaped protruding portion 13, and the protruding portion 3 has a plurality of through holes 12a. The dome-shaped protrusion 13 protrudes in a dome shape within a range that enters into openings 15A, 15B, and 15C of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 described later.

  As a conductive material used for such a current collector 12 (unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, 12C), the same material as that of the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C described above can be used. Further, at least the surface on the side in contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 may be provided with a protective layer made of a corrosion-resistant (acid-resistant) and electrically conductive resin layer. The protective layer can be formed by the same formation method as in 2A, 2B, and 2C. Further, the surface of the unit conductive substrate may be subjected to a plating process such as gold plating, and the corrosion resistant metal layer may be provided without impairing the conductivity. Furthermore, a protective layer having acid resistance and electrical conductivity may be disposed on such a corrosion-resistant metal layer.

  Each of the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C provided with the dome-shaped protruding portion 13 is processed into a predetermined shape by mechanical processing such as extrusion and press processing, etching processing using a photolithography technique, and the like. Yes, through holes 12a for fuel supply or oxygen supply are formed by these methods. There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the magnitude | size (opening diameter) of the through-hole 12a, For example, it can set suitably in the range of 0.05-10 mm. Further, the protrusion height H (see FIG. 4) of the protrusion 13 is appropriately set in consideration of the thickness and material of the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C, the area, shape, number of the protrusions 13, and the like. it can. Further, the dome shape of the protruding portion 13 is not particularly limited. For example, the protruding portion 13 may have a cross section that forms a catenary line. Further, as the shape of the protruding portion 13, a sweep surface obtained by sweeping a curve, such as a part of a cylindrical surface formed by sweeping an arc, can be used. It can be a surface.

  In the illustrated example, nine through holes 12a are formed in each of the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C. Further, the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C may be provided with through holes 2a on the outside (flat portion) of the protruding portion 13, and the protruding portion 13 and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame to be described later. In consideration of the size, shape, and the like of the openings 15A, 15B, and 15C of the body 15, the formation site of the through hole 12a can be appropriately set.

  The outer frame 14 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 integrated so as to sandwich the current collector 12 are the outer frame 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the above-described embodiment. Similar to the side frame 5 and having three openings 14A, 14B, 14C and openings 15A, 15B, 15C corresponding to the arrangement positions of the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, 12C. It is. And in each opening part 15A, 15B, 15C of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15, the protrusion part 13 of each unit electroconductive board | substrate 12A, 12B, 12C which comprises the current collection part 12 is located. The through hole 12a is exposed.

  The materials of the outer frame 14 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 are the same as those of the outer frame 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 constituting the separator 1 described above. . Further, the outer frame 14 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 having a desired shape as described above can be formed by machining, laser processing, or the like. The outer frame 14 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 15 may have the same thickness or different thicknesses. Further, the gap 16 may be filled with an insulating material such as an epoxy resin or a fluororesin as an adhesive.

Such a separator 11 of the present invention has a swell stress when the dome-shaped protrusion 13 as described above swells in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell. It exerts an action against As a result, reliable contact between the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is maintained, and a uniform contact pressure can be obtained over the entire surface of each unit conductive substrate, thereby reducing contact resistance. As a result, a battery having a low internal resistance is obtained.
The separator of the present invention described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to these. For example, when the separator of the present invention does not impede the function of the above-described protrusions 3 and 13, the openings 5A, 5B, 5C, 15A, 15B, and the like of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frames 5 and 15 are provided. A gas diffusion layer or a catalyst layer may be provided in 15C so as to cover the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C, 12A, 12B, and 12C of the current collectors 2 and 12.

The gas diffusion layer is made of a porous current collector, and for example, carbon fiber, alumina or the like can be used. The thickness of the gas diffusion layer can be appropriately set within a range of about 20 to 500 μm, for example.
The catalyst layer becomes a fuel electrode when the separator is used as a fuel supply side separator, and becomes an oxygen electrode when the separator is used as an oxygen supply side separator. Examples of the material for such a catalyst layer include platinum, gold, palladium, ruthenium, copper, platinum oxide, tungsten oxide, iron, nickel, rhodium, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Can be used in combination. Moreover, the thickness of a catalyst layer can be suitably set, for example in the range of about 10-300 micrometers.

Next, an example of a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the separator of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which the separator 1 of the present invention described above is incorporated as a fuel supply side separator and an oxygen supply side separator. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the members of the planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. 5 are separated from each other.
5 and 6, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 41 includes a battery body 51 in which a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 is sandwiched between a pair of separators 1A and 1B of the present invention, and a case body 52. ing.

In the battery body 51, each membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5 of the separator 1A on the oxygen supply side and the separator 1B on the fuel supply side is disposed so as to face the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54, and each separator The current collecting portions 2 of 1A and 1B are in contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 through the carbon paper 53. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 includes an oxygen electrode side catalyst layer 55 on the oxygen supply side separator 1A side and a fuel electrode side catalyst layer 56 on the fuel supply side separator 1B side.
Thus, the three unit cells 51A, 51B, 51C are arranged in a plane. Note that the electrical connection of the current collector 2 (unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C) between the three unit cells 51A, 51B, 51C is not particularly limited. It is possible to electrically connect unit conductive substrates of adjacent unit cells using the conductive member. Further, the connection terminal portions connected to the unit conductive substrates 2A, 2B, 2C of the current collector 2 are projected outside the separator 1 (the separator 1B on the oxygen supply side and the separator 1B on the fuel supply side). The three unit cells 51A, 51B, 51C may be connected using this connection terminal portion.

Further, in the battery body 51 described above, both ends of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 are sandwiched between a pair of separator outer peripheral frame members 61A and 61B via a seal member 65. The pair of separator outer peripheral frame members 61 </ b> A and 61 </ b> B sandwiching the battery main body 51 is fixed to the case body 52 via the seal member 65 using fixing bolts 67.
The separator outer peripheral frame member 61A has a structure in which the unit conductive substrate 2A of the current collector 2 is sandwiched between the outer frame body 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body 5, and the separator outer peripheral frame member 61B is a structure in which the unit conductive substrate 2C of the current collector 2 is sandwiched between the outer frame body 4 and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body 5. And electrode terminal 62A, 62B connected to the current collection part 2 protrudes from the end (left side of illustration) of separator outer periphery frame member 61A, 61B.

As a result, the three unit cells 51A, 51B, 51C are electrically connected in series as follows.
Electrode terminal 62A → *
* → Unit cell 51A [Unit conductive substrate 2A of separator 1A → Membrane electrode composite
(MEA) 54 → unit conductive substrate 2A of separator 1B] → *
* → Unit cell 51B [Unit conductive substrate 2B of separator 1A → Membrane electrode composite
(MEA) 54 → unit conductive substrate 2B of separator 1B] → *
* → Unit cell 51C [Unit conductive substrate 2C of separator 1A → Membrane electrode composite
(MEA) 54 → unit conductive substrate 2C of separator 1B] → *
* → Electrode terminal 62B

Even if the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 swells, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 41 has unit conductivity by the separator 1A on the oxygen supply side and the separator 1B on the fuel supply side which are the separators of the present invention. Since contact failure between the conductive substrates 2A, 2B, and 2C and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 is prevented, the contact resistance is extremely small and the power generation characteristics are high.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a flat polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which the separator 11 of the present invention is incorporated as a fuel supply side separator and an oxygen supply side separator instead of the separator 1 of the present invention. It is a block diagram. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the respective members of the planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. 7 are separated from each other. 7 and 8, members other than the separator are the same as those in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 41 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the same member numbers as those in FIGS.

  Also in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 41 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54 swells, the separator 11A on the oxygen supply side and the fuel supply side separator 11A of the present invention are used. Since the separator 11B prevents poor contact between the unit conductive substrates 12A, 12B, and 12C and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 54, the contact resistance is extremely small and the power generation characteristics are high.

  The present invention can be applied to the manufacture of a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the separator for planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cells of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a current collector, an outer frame, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame constituting the separator shown in FIG. 1 are separated from each other. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of the separator shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of a separator for a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the separator of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the respective members of the planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. 5 are separated from each other. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the separator of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which spaced apart each member of the planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B, 11, 11A, 11B ... separator 2, 12 ... current collector 2A, 2B, 2C, 12A, 12B, 12C ... unit conductive substrate 2a, 12a ... through hole 3, 13 ... projecting part 4, 14 ... Outer frame 4A, 4B, 4C, 14A, 14B, 14C ... Opening 5, 15 ... Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame 5A, 5B, 5C, 15A, 15B, 15C ... Opening 6, 16 ... Cavity

Claims (5)

In a separator for a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which unit cells are arranged in a plane,
A current collector in which two or more unit conductive substrates having a plurality of through-holes are arranged in a plane via a gap;
An electrically insulating outer frame and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame integrated so as to sandwich the current collector;
The outer frame body and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body each have an opening corresponding to the arrangement position of the unit conductive substrate,
The unit conductive substrate has a shape protruding in the direction of the opening of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame, and is a separator for a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell.   2. The planar type substrate according to claim 1, wherein the unit conductive substrate has a shape protruding in a dome shape in a range smaller than an area of an opening of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame. Separator for polymer electrolyte fuel cell.   The separator for a planar type polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the dome-like protruding shape forms a catenary line.   2. The planar type substrate according to claim 1, wherein the unit conductive substrate has a shape protruding offset with an area smaller than an area of the opening of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame. Separator for polymer electrolyte fuel cell.   The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) side frame body and the outer frame body are any one of resin, a composite of resin and an inorganic material, a metal provided with an insulating film, and ceramic. The separator for a planar polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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