Bipolar Plates: Different Materials and Processing Methods for Their Usage in Fuel Cells

Abstract

Graphite composites based bipolar plates are a preferred material for stationary PEM fuel cell applications, because they are resistant against high temperatures and corrosive conditions. This chapter gives an overview about different material configurations as well as the most important parameters and characterization methods for graphite based bipolar plates. It describes the actual generation PPS based composite materials with improved long-term stability. It introduces the most common materials and gives an overview about interactions between other stack components, characterization and processing, great care should be taken in constructing the bipolar plates.

Processing methods for conductive polymer composite bipolar plates: Effect on plate quality and performance

“…Thermoplastics in the lower right region of high temperature stability and semi‐crystallinity (i.e., PP and PE) of the pyramid are preferred for BPs in low‐temperature PEMFC (with operating temperature of 60°C –80°C [107]), while those in the upper right region of high‐temperature stability and semi‐crystallinity are suitable for BPs in high‐temperature PEMFC (with operating temperature of 120°C–180°C [108]). This is because these polymers can safely withstand the corrosive environment and provide heat deflection temperatures above the operating conditions presented by the respective type of PEMFC [109].…”

“…Classification pyramid of common plastics. PA = polyamide, PBT = polybutylene terephthalate, PET = polyethylene terephthalate, POM = polyoxymethylene, PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene, PMMA = poly(methyl methacrylate), PS = polystyrene, ABS = acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, PBI = polybenzimidazole, TPI = thermoplastic polyimide, PES = polyether sulfone, PSU = polysulfone [109]…”

“…Thermoplastics in the lower right region of high temperature stability and semi-crystallinity (i.e., PP ). This is because these polymers can safely withstand the corrosive environment and provide heat deflection temperatures above the operating conditions presented by the respective type of PEMFC [109]. Huang et al [50] developed graphite-filled PPS-based and PET-based composite BPs by the wet-lay process followed by CM.…”

Electrochemical and Structural Property of TiSiNb TFSOC on Affordable Interconnects in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

“…In recent studies, PEMFC MI coated with carbon-based material has been reported as a cost-effective approach to improving corrosion resistance while keeping the ICR low [ 20 , 21 ]. Electrically conductive polymers (ECP) were studied as potential coating materials due to their chemical and electrochemical stability [ 22 , 23 ]. The presence of micro-defects, as a matter of the main disadvantage of ECP, can be used as migration channels for corrosive ions to penetrate to the substrate surface and passivate the interconnect, which could further increase the ICR [ 24 , 25 ].…”