Investigation of Corrosion Methods for Bipolar Plates for High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Application

Abstract

In this work, different methods and electrochemical set-ups were investigated in order to study the corrosion behaviour of bipolar plates (BPP) for high temperature (HT) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell application. Using confocal and scanning electron microscopy, it was shown that chemical and electrochemical aging significantly increases surface roughness as well as morphology changes, confirming material degradation. Identical electrochemical corrosion behaviour was observed for both set-ups with typical quinone/hydroquinone peaks in the potential range ~0.6–0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The appearance of the peaks and an increase of double layer capacitance can be related to the oxidation of carbon surface and, consequently, material corrosion. Simultaneously, an optimised corrosion set-up was introduced and verified regarding suitability. Both investigated set-ups and methods are useful to analyse the oxidation behaviour and corrosion resistance.

Fluoropolymer impregnated graphite foil as a bipolar plates of vanadium flow battery

“…The value of shunting currents is in the order of one to a tenth of mA/cm 2 , and it is dictated by geometrical profiles of channels for electrolyte distribution and electrolytes conductivity 26,27 . The selection of optimal channel configuration can mitigate this problem, resulting in the maximum shunt current value of 2 mA cm 2 or less 28 . Therefore, the same current density was chosen as a cutoff for the determination of electrochemical window stability.…”

“…26,27 The selection of optimal channel configuration can mitigate this problem, resulting in the maximum shunt current value of 2 mA cm 2 or less. 28 Therefore, the same current density was chosen as a cutoff for the determination of electrochemical window stability. Thus, the potential range at which the oxygen and hydrogen evolution currents were 2 mA/cm 2 was extracted.…”

Understanding Degradation Phenomena in HT-PEM Fuel Cells Using Micro-Computed Tomography

“…These studies showed power losses due to MEA degradation in the form of membrane thinning or formation of pinholes, catalyst layer thinning and formation of cracks or even intrusion of GDL fibres (14)(15)(16). Carbon-based composite bipolar plates are prone to undergo corrosion and thus fail to ensure a proper functionality during critical conditions (17,18).…”

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

“…When it comes to commercial graphite PEMFC I , they show outstanding resistance to corrosion and favorable electrical and thermal conductivity. However, the low density, weak mechanical strength, material and processing cost restrict its usage [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Metal plate-based interconnectors are usually coated with various protective materials to enhance their corrosion resistance [ 15 , 16 ].…”