Corrosion analysis of graphite sinter as bipolar plates in the low-temperature PEM fuel cell simulated environments

Abstract

The article presents the results of research and an analysis of the possibility of using sinters made of graphite powder as a material dedicated to the production of bipolar plates for low-temperature fuel cell. The use of powder metallurgy technology allows for the production of materials that meet the requirements for fuel cell elements for the construction of elements closing a single cell (bipolar or monopolar plates) or interconnectors. The morphological and chemical analysis of graphite powder, microstructural analysis of the produced graphite sinter, and the analysis of functional properties, i.e., porosity, roughness, and corrosion resistance under operating conditions of a low-temperature fuel cell, were performed. The corrosion resistance of the graphite sinter was tested in anodic conditions (in a corrosive environment saturated with hydrogen) and in cathodic conditions (in a corrosive environment saturated with oxygen). Graphite sinters show high resistivity in both tested corrosive environments, which allows the use of powder metallurgy technology for serial production of covers for low-temperature fuel cells.

Corrosion and Materials Degradation in Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Devices

“…Several past works investigated graphite and various carbon‐polymer nanocomposites as preferable substitutes for metallic BPs [31,103–105] . Recent work showed that the sinters made of commercial graphite powder had high corrosion resistance in simulated PEMC conditions [106] …”

“…[31,[103][104][105] Recent work showed that the sinters made of commercial graphite powder had high corrosion resistance in simulated PEMC conditions. [106] Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and CNTs could act as excellent fillers to the conducting polymer-based composites, enhancing the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance considerably. [107] EIS studies on a carbon black (CB)-synthetic graphite-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite in simulated PEMC conditions showed that when the CB content in the composite exceeded 5 wt %, the corrosion resistance started to decline.…”

A Review on the Long-Term Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: From Degradation Modeling to the Effects of Bipolar Plates, Sealings, and Contaminants

“…The materials that are most commonly used to fabricate BPs are categorized into metallic and non-metallic (carbon-based) substances [62]. Non-porous graphite is usually used in laboratory applications due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical stability, and resistance against corrosion and gas permeation [63]. However, the mechanical properties of graphite are not interesting, and its manufacture is expensive.…”

A High Conductive Composite Bipolar Plate with Conductive Network Constructed by Chemical Vapor Deposition

“…According to the different material classifications, BPs can be divided into graphite BPs, metal BPs, and resin/graphite composite BPs. Graphite BPs have good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance [8]; however, their mechanical properties are poor, and the graphite BPs with flow channels are costly. In addition, graphite BPs have a low gas transmission rate [9].…”