Abstract
Highly graphite filled polymer composites were developed for use as bipolar plates in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). For use in PEFCs, composites should possess excellent durability in a hot and humid environment in addition to high electrical conductivity and good mechanical properties. Therefore, the stability of different composites in hot water was estimated by comparison with the initial properties and target values. On the basis of this comprehensive estimation, we obtained thermosetting composites for compression molding and thermoplastic composites for injection molding that enabled the production of precise bipolar plates. A PEFC stack assembly using the composite bipolar plates showed good, stable performance comparable to that of conventional machined graphite plates.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Heinzel, A., Mahlendorf, F., Niemzig, O., and Kreuz, C. (2004) Injection moulded low cost bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells, J. Power Sources 131, 35–40.
Kuan, H.-C., Ma, C.-C. M., Chen, K. H., and Chen, S.-M. (2004) Preparation, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of composite bipolar plate for a fuel cell, J. Power Sources 134, 7–17
Lee, H. S., Kim, H. J., Kim, S. D., and Ahn, S. H. (2006) Evaluation of graphite composite bipolar plate for PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell: Electrical, mechanical, and molding properties. J. Mater. Process. Tech. 187–188, 425–428
Mighri, F., Huneault, M. A., and Champagne, M. F. (2004) Electrically conductive thermoplastic blends for injection and compression molding of bipolar plates in the fuel cell application, Polym. Eng. Sci. 44, 1755–1765.
Mitani, T., Hayashi, T., and Miyamoto, F. (2003) Properties of graphite–polymer composites for PEFC separators, Fuel Cell Seminar 2003, 208–211.
Müller, A., Kauranen, P., von Ganski, A., and Hell, B. (2006) Injection moulding of graphite composite bipolar plates, J. Power Sources 154, 467–471.
Radhakrishnan, S., Ramanujam, B. T. S., Adhikari, A., and Sivaram, S. (2006) High-temperature, polymer–graphite hybrid composites for bipolar plates: Effect of processing conditions on electrical properties, J. Power Sources 163, 702–707.
Shao, Y., Yin, G., Eang, Z, and Gao, Y. (2007) Proton exchange membrane cell from low temperature to high temperature: Material challenges, J. Power Sources 167, 235–242.
Yin, Q., Li, A.-J., Wang, W.-Q., Xia, L.-G., and Wang, Y.-M. (2007) Study on the electrical and mechanical properties of phenol formaldehyde resin/graphite composite for bipolar plate, J. Power Sources 165, 717–721.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mitani, T., Mitsuda, K. (2009). Durability of Graphite Composite Bipolar Plates. In: Büchi, F.N., Inaba, M., Schmidt, T.J. (eds) Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Durability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85536-3_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85536-3_12
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-85534-9
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-85536-3
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)