Bipolar plate design and fabrication using graphite reinforced composite laminate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Kuan, Yean‐Der; Ciou, Chuang-Wei; Shen, Min-Yuan; Wang, Chong-Kai; Fitriani, Raydha Zul; Lee, Che-Yin

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.08.030

Cited by 39 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…For instance, Messinar et al showed a compression molding technique where the graphite blend was molded from 10 • C to 100 • C at variable compression forces [198]. Currently, several researchers are paying attention to graphite/polymer composites because they can easily be manufactured and are mechanically stable [199,200]. Lee et al patented and demonstrated a method for manufacturing a composite separator using graphite foil that is bonded to a carbon fiber-reinforced composite material [201].…”

Section: Fabrication Of Bipolar Platesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Trends in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2022

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Fuel cells (FCs) have received huge attention for development from lab and pilot scales to full commercial scale. This is mainly due to their inherent advantage of direct conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy as a high-quality energy supply and, hence, higher conversion efficiency. Additionally, FCs have been produced at a wide range of capacities with high flexibility due to modularity characteristics. Using the right materials and efficient manufacturing processes is directly proportional to the total production cost. This work explored the different components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and their manufacturing processes. The challenges associated with these manufacturing processes were critically analyzed, and possible mitigation strategies were proposed. The PEMFC is a relatively new and developing technology so there is a need for a thorough analysis to comprehend the current state of fuel cell operational characteristics and discover new areas for development. It is hoped that the view discussed in this paper will be a means for improved fuel cell development.

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Section: Fabrication Of Bipolar Platesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Trends in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2022

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“…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%

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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“…Soleimani Alavijeh et al 24 prepared bipolar plates using copper nanoparticles (0−5 wt %), natural flake graphite (22.5−17.5 wt %), and bisphenol A-based epoxy resin (77.5 wt %) and reported an ≅85% decrease in electrical resistance when the copper concentration was increased from 3 to 5 wt %. Kuan et al 25 prepared bipolar plates using a woven graphite fabric cloth carbon coated with a phenol−formaldehyde resin as prepreg. For increasing electrical conductivity, graphite powder was added and mixed with the resin before applying it to the graphite cloth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They can be made of metals, − but graphite bipolar plates are preferred because they are lighter and more resistant to corrosion . Most prior studies − have focused on improving the electrical conductivity, flexural strength, acid resistance, and resistance to gas permeation of graphite bipolar plates. There are few studies that consider tailoring the porosity of bipolar plates for water removal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microporous Graphite Composites of Tailorable Porosity, Surface Wettability, and Water Permeability for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates

Pitchiya

Putnam

et al. 2021

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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To address the water management problem in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, porous graphite composites were prepared by incorporating sacrificial pore-forming agents in the blend of graphite and a phenolic resin formed into a flat plate using compression molding. Sucrose was found to be an effective porogen in the porous plate production process. The effects of relative amounts of graphite, polymer, and porogen in the composite were studied. Bipolar plate properties such as the water uptake by wicking and vacuum infusion, gas-breakthrough pressure across the water-infused pores, electrical conductivity, and flexural strength of the plates were measured and correlated with the plate composition. The plate porosity was evaluated by determining the masses of dry and water-infused plates in air and under water. The porosity, ε, showed a linear increase with an increase in the porogen concentration in the range of 0–10%. The permeabilities, K, of water through the graphite plates with different porosity values were calculated by measuring the water flux over a range of pressures. The water permeability increased with oxidation and hydrophilization of the pore surface. Dynamic water contact angle measurements were used to characterize the effect of chemical and thermal treatments on the water wettability of the plates. The gas-breakthrough pressure of the water-infused plates was found to be linearly correlated with the parameter, , proportional to the capillary pressure of the gas–water interface of surface tension, γ, and contact angle, θ. Porous plates capable of a total water uptake greater than 25 wt %, with the gas-breakthrough pressure higher than 10 psi, through-plane electrical conductivity exceeding 100 S cm–1, and flexural strength exceeding 25 MPa were obtained.

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Bipolar plate design and fabrication using graphite reinforced composite laminate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Cited by 39 publications

References 37 publications

Novel Trends in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Novel Trends in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Gradient Structured Composite Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Microporous Graphite Composites of Tailorable Porosity, Surface Wettability, and Water Permeability for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates

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