Method of and apparatus for producing electrode of fuel cell

Abstract

An electrode base material is held by electrostatic attraction when a voltage from a DC power source is applied to electrodes for electrostatic attraction. A paste is applied to the electrode base material, and then the paste is dried to form the water-repellent layer. Subsequently, another paste is applied to the water-repellent layer, and then the paste is dried. Accordingly, the substantially flat electrode catalyst layer including an extremely small number of depressions is formed. The electrode of the fuel cell produced as described above can be used as an anode or a cathode.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for producing an electrode of a fuel cell, comprising: 
 a mechanism for effecting electrostatic attraction; and    a mechanism for applying to an electrode base material at least one of a first paste to form a water-repellent layer in said electrode of said fuel cell and a second paste to form an electrode catalyst layer in said electrode of said fuel cell,    wherein said electrostatic attraction mechanism holds said electrode base material by electrostatic attraction and said paste-applying mechanism applies said paste for said water-repellent layer or said paste for said electrode catalyst layer to said electrode base material.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrostatic attraction mechanism includes an electrostatic attraction plate for holding said electrode base material, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a suction mechanism for holding said electrostatic attraction plate by suction.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is a screen printing apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said apparatus is a screen printing apparatus.