Contact resistance prediction and structure optimization of bipolar plates

Zhou, Peng; Wu, Chengwei; Ma, Guangyi

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.12.080

Cited by 180 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…As can be seen, the proposed model provides intrusion values near the upper experimental limit in all the assembly pressure range. This is an expected result, since the presence of the MPL is known to increase the stiff ness of the GDL (see, e.g., [42]) and higher stiffness tends in turn to reduce GDL intrusion, so that the observed differences are qualitatively correct. Since the intrusion values were in the same order of magnitude and the behavior was appropriate, specially when taking into account the presence of the MPL, the validation of our model was considered satisfactory.…”

Section: Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Although all these effects are beneficial in terms of reducing mass transport resistances, the use of exceedingly thin ribs would reduce the available area for the transport of electrons to the current collectors. As a consequence, an optimal rib width is expected to exist which maximizes fuel cell performance by a combination of low interfacial contact resistance and good porosity distribution for the GDL [42]. Fig.…”

Section: Sensitivity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, the mechanical characterization of the GDL exhibits large differences between authors. Thus, while the vast majority of studies use linear [18,19,45e52] or nonlinear isotropic models [20], or even piecewise linear isotropic models (where the Young's modulus is a function of the assembly pressure range) [42], only a few consider the more realistic assumption of nonlinear orthotropic properties [53e56].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nonlinear orthotropic model of the inhomogeneous assembly compression of PEM fuel cell gas diffusion layers

García-Salaberri

Vera

Zaera

2011

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

115

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Keywords:PEM fuel cells Assembly pressure Gas diffusion layers Inhomogeneous compressionNonlinear orthotropic model a b s t r a c t PEM fuel cell assembly pressure is known to cause large strains in the gas diffusion layer (GDL), which results in significant changes in its mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. These changes affect the rates of mass, charge, and heat transport through the GDL, thus impacting fuel cell performance and lifetime. The appropriate modeling of the inhomogeneous GDL compression process associated with the repetitive channel rib pattern is therefore essential for a detailed description of the physical chemical processes that take place in the cell. In this context, the mechanical characterization of the GDL is of special relevance, since its microstructure based on carbon fibers has strongly nonlinear orthotropic properties. The present study describes a new finite element model which fully incorporates the nonlinear orthotropic characteristics of the GDL, thereby improving the prediction of the inhomogeneous compression effects in this key element of the cell. Among other conclusions, the numerical results show that the linear isotropic models widely reported in the literature tend to overestimate the porosity and the partial intrusion of the GDL in the channel region, and may lead to incorrect predictions in terms of interfacial contact pressure distributions.

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Section: Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Sensitivity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nonlinear orthotropic model of the inhomogeneous assembly compression of PEM fuel cell gas diffusion layers

García-Salaberri

Vera

Zaera

2011

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

115

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“…However, only a few modeling studies were found where the thickness variation of the GDL was considered, see e.g. [39][40][41][42][43]. Although those studies provide insight into transport phenomena in the cell, they still leave room for discussion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Conductivity and Contact Resistance of Compressed Gas Diffusion Layer of PEM Fuel Cell

Nitta¹,

Himanen

Mikkola³

2008

Fuel Cells

106

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Faculty DepartmentAuthor ( This paper discusses the effect of compression pressure on the mechanical and thermal properties of gas diffusion layers (GDL).The stress-strain curve of the GDL revealed one nonlinear and two piecewise linear regions within the compression pressure range of 0 to 5.5 MPa. The thermal conductivity of the compressed GDL was found to be independent of the compression pressure and was determined to be 1.18 ± 0.11 W m-1 K-1. The thermal contact resistance between the GDL and graphite was evaluated by augmenting experiments with computer modeling. The thermal contact resistance decreased nonlinearly with increasing compression pressure. According to results here, the thermal bulk resistance of the GDL is comparable to the thermal contact resistance between the GDL and graphite. A simple one dimensional model predicted a temperature drop of 1.7-4.4 ˚C across the GDL and catalyst layer depending on compression pressures.

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“…The ICR values decreased with increasing compaction force due to increased contact areas, which serve as electrical junctions. 29 In contrast to the maximum corrosion resistance of the 15 wt % NiO-YSZ film, the ICR showed a minimum at 25% NiO-YSZ, indicating that the Ni content in the NiO-YSZ film strongly affects the ICR and the microcracks on the film have little effect on the area of contact junctions. This is consistent with the results reported by Marinsek et al 30 They showed that the electrical conductivity of the coating layer by the sol-gel method was increased by increasing the Ni content in the YSZ precursor.…”

mentioning

confidence: 87%

Electrochemical Properties of NiO-YSZ Thin Films on 316 Stainless Steel Bipolar Plates Under a Simulated PEMFC Environment

Lee¹,

Jang²

2012

Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society

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The corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel coated with NiO-YSZ (Ni added yttria stabilized zirconia) was examined in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environment. The NiO-YSZ coating was carried out using a sol-gel dip coating method, and the corrosion resistance and interfacial contact resistance (ICR) were determined by the composition and morphology of the NiO-YSZ film. The corrosion resistance increased with increasing Ni content in the NiO-YSZ film, but rapid corrosion was observed when the YSZ film contained more than 15 wt % Ni due to surface cracks. The polarization resistance was improved by several orders of magnitude when 316L stainless steel was coated with a 15 wt % NiO-YSZ film compared to bare 316L. The ICR of the NiO-YSZ film was decreased to that of bare 316L when the YSZ film contained 25 wt % NiO, suggesting the possible application of NiO-YSZ coated stainless steel for a bipolar plate.

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Contact resistance prediction and structure optimization of bipolar plates

Cited by 180 publications

References 19 publications

Nonlinear orthotropic model of the inhomogeneous assembly compression of PEM fuel cell gas diffusion layers

Nonlinear orthotropic model of the inhomogeneous assembly compression of PEM fuel cell gas diffusion layers

Thermal Conductivity and Contact Resistance of Compressed Gas Diffusion Layer of PEM Fuel Cell

Electrochemical Properties of NiO-YSZ Thin Films on 316 Stainless Steel Bipolar Plates Under a Simulated PEMFC Environment

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