A review of composite bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Electrical properties and gas permeability

Jeong, Kyungmin; Oh, Jae-Hyung; Song, Sang Hwa; Lee, Dongyoung; Lee, Dai Gil; Kim, Seong Su

doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.113617

Cited by 64 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 132 publications

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“…Reinforced thermoplastic and thermosetting composites with carbon fillers, to improve their conductivity, are low in density and have superior corrosion resistance. Jeong et al [93] surveyed the electrical conductivity, interfacial contact resistance, and gas permeability of such composites for use as BPs in PEMFCs. They noted that electrical conductivity of composites can be enhanced by using conductive fillers network (such as graphite, graphene, continuous carbon fiber, CNT, carbon fabrics, etc.).…”

Section: Yan Et Al [83] Polytetrafluoroethylene (Ptfe)/carbon Cloth/a...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2022

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Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are regarded as promising alternatives to internal combustion engines (ICEs) to reduce pollution. Recent research on PEMFCs focuses on achieving higher power densities, reducing the refueling time, mitigating the final price, and decreasing the degradations, to facilitate the commercialization of hydrogen mobility. The design of bipolar plates and compression kits, in addition to their coating, can effectively improve performance, increase durability, and support water/thermal management. Past reviews usually focused on the specific aspect, which can hardly provide readers with a complete picture of the key challenges facing and advances in the long-term performance of PEMFCs. This paper aims to deliver a comprehensive source to review, from both experimental, analytical and numerical viewpoints, design challenges, degradation modeling, protective coatings for bipolar plates, and key operational challenges facing and solutions to the stack to prevent contamination. The significant research gaps in the long-term performance of PEMFCs are identified as (1) improved bipolar-plate design and coating, (2) the optimization of the design of sealing and compression kits to reduce mechanical stresses, and (3) stack degradation regarding fuel contamination and dynamic operation.

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Section: Yan Et Al [83] Polytetrafluoroethylene (Ptfe)/carbon Cloth/a...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2022

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“…One of the simplest methods to alleviate the problem of resin on the surface is to reduce the proportion of resin in the mixed graphite/resin powder. − However, sufficient resin content is necessary for the plate to maintain its mechanical properties, and reducing the amount of the resin binder often leads to a brittle BPP . To overcome this issue, a few researchers have reported on the fabrication of a sandwich structure, with the resin-rich composite layer as the “filling” and pure conductive graphite as the “bread”. ,,,, In this approach, the “filling” can provide a good mechanical structure and the “bread” is able to efficiently reduce the ICR. For example, Cunningham et al developed a composite BBP filled with a wet-lay material and a thermoplastic laminate skin layer .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…32 To overcome this issue, a few researchers have reported on the fabrication of a sandwich structure, with the resin-rich composite layer as the "filling" and pure conductive graphite as the "bread". 9,15,16,19,33 In this approach, the "filling" can provide a good mechanical structure and the "bread" is able to efficiently reduce the ICR. For example, Cunningham et al developed a composite BBP filled with a wet-lay material and a thermoplastic laminate skin layer.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since pure graphite suffers from brittleness and machining difficulties, graphite/polymer composites have attracted attention for their good mechanical properties, straightforward molding process, superior corrosion resistance, and low density. − However, the main drawback in the development of such composite BPPs is high interfacial contact resistance (ICR): the enhanced temperature and the compression pressure in the hot molding process squeeze the resin onto the surface, inevitably forming a resin-rich layer there. − A number of research groups have sought to avoid forming such a layer or to remove it by modifying the manufacturing process and performing a surface treatment. − For example, Jiang reported obtaining highly conductive BPPs by spreading graphitized cactus-like carbon nanofibers on the surface prior to hot pressing. The carbon nanofiber requires a high temperature of 500 °C in an inert atmosphere and the use of carbon monoxide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gradient Structured Composite Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Zhang

Huang

Fan

et al. 2022

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Carbon/polymer binder composite bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells have attracted attention for their corrosion resistivity and ease of manufacturing. However, the hot-pressing fabrication process often leads to a resin-rich surface on the plate, which may increase the interfacial contact resistance. A number of studies have been reported to reduce resin accumulation on the surface. However, most reported methods have focused on how to exceed the United States Department of Energy conductivity and mechanical targets. Their fabrication methods are often complicated, which is hard to form flow channels directly in manufacturing. Herein, we propose a simple layer-by-layer method to prepare graphite/resin composite bipolar plates. During compression of the multilayer graphite/resin powder, elevated temperature and pressure make the resin in the inner polymer-rich layer flow toward the outer resin-deficient layers. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis shows an unbroken "smiling" curve of carbon content along the whole cross-section, suggesting a continuous distribution of the resin across the whole composite. The resulting composite demonstrates a better interfacial contact resistance (9.2 mΩ cm 2 @100 psi) and a flexural strength (44.3 MPa) than the plates prepared by a single-layer method. Flow channels with a good molding accuracy (±4 μm) are also observed. Single-cell testing with the gradient-structured composite plate shows excellent cell performance: the cell voltage is 0.67 V at 1 A cm −2 , and the maximum power density reaches 0.99 W cm −2 . In situ electrochemical impedance analysis demonstrates that compared to an analogue using the single-layer loading method, the cell with gradient structured plates displays lower ohmic and mass transfer resistance than the cell using the plates prepared by a single-layer method.

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“…The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is considered to be one of the most prized potential energy conversion devices in the 21st century due to its unique advantages, such as its high rate of energy conversion, pollution-free emissions, and noisefree operation [1][2][3]; however, owing to the high preparation cost of PEMFCs, its application is limited [4]. Bipolar plates (BPs) are key components of PEMFCs, and they are responsible for energy conduction, material transportation, structural support, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Zeng

Peng

et al. 2022

Energies

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In this study, a highly conductive composite bipolar plate with an embedded conductive carbon nanofiber network was prepared by chemical vapor deposition, and a conductive network was constructed inside the composite bipolar plate. The latter network was then compared with a conductive network formed by directly adding carbon nanotubes more evenly distributed. The optimum preparation methods of vapor-grown carbon fibers and the fiber content were analyzed, and the specific surface area and porosity of the bipolar plates were measured and analyzed using a BET test. The results show that the carbon nanofibers prepared under the conditions of 700 °C and a content of 2% exhibited the best effect on improving the performance of the bipolar plates. The conductivity of the prepared bipolar plates could reach 255.2 S/cm, which is 22.1% higher than treatment with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The bending strength of the prepared bipolar plates was 47.92 MPa, and the interface contact resistance was 6.24 mΩ·cm2. In conclusion, the bipolar plates modified with vapor-grown carbon fibers were a promising kind of material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

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A review of composite bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Electrical properties and gas permeability

Cited by 64 publications

References 132 publications

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

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

Gradient Structured Composite Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

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

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