A Low-Density Graphite-Polymer Composite as a Bipolar Plate for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

The bipolar plate is the most important and most costly component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The development of a suitable low density bipolar plate is scientifically and technically challenging due to the need to maintain high electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. Here, bipolar plates were developed from different particle sizes of natural and expanded graphite with phenolic resin as a polymeric matrix. It was observed that the particle size of the reinforcement significantly influences the mechanical and electrical properties of a composite bipolar plate. The composite bipolar plate based on expanded graphite gives the desired mechanical and electrical properties as per the US Department of Energy target, with a bulk density of 1.55 g.cm -3 as compared to that of ~1.87 g.cm -3 for a composite plate based on natural graphite (NG). Although the bulk density of the expandedgraphite-based composite plate is ~20% less than that of the NG-based plate, the I-V performance of the expanded graphite plate is superior to that of the NG plate as a consequence of the higher conductivity. The expanded graphite plate can thus be used as an electromagnetic interference shielding material.

Synergistic Effects of Carbon Fillers of Phenolic Resin Based Composite Bipolar Plates on the Performance of PEM Fuel Cell

“…As shown in Figure 1, a typical PEM fuel cell consists of electrolyte membrane, gas diffusion layer, catalyst, and bipolar plates [6]. Within the fuel cell stack, the bipolar plates connect the individual single cells physically, electrically and thermally in series to generate the appropriate amount of current and voltage for a device application [7].…”

Ultra‐thin carbon/silicon carbide composite bipolar plate for advanced fuel cells

“…However, density of the bipolar plate fabricated out of compact F 50 was higher than that of the referred carbon/polymer bipolar plate. Further, the density of the flat plate has comparatively higher than the lowest density (1.6 g cm -3 ) of carbon/polymer composite bipolar plate reported so far [10]. However, sufficient saving in the total volume and weight of the stack can be achieved by the use of present bipolar plate.…”

“…Further, in a fuel cell stack the bipolar plates connect the individual single cells electrically in bipolar configurations to produce the suitable amount of voltage for a device application, providing mechanical support for the stack, and distributing fuel and oxygen at anode and cathode side through the flow channels machined on surface of bipolar plate [7][8][9]. Hence, the bipolar plate should be very thin, lowest permissible density, along with low cost material [10,11]. Moreover, in strategic application of the fuel cell stack, the weight and volume requirements are more stringent along with the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.…”

Effect of surface modification of mesoporous carbon supports on the electrochemical activity of fuel cells

“…Fuel cells have attracted considerable attention as clean power sources for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, and as on-site power generation systems, owing to their low emissions and high energy conversion efficiencies [1,2]. Generally, platinum (Pt) or platinum alloy-based nanoparticles, which are impregnated on carbon supports, are the best electrocatalysts for the anodic and cathodic reactions of fuel cells [3,4].…”