Design and fabrication of composite current collector used in 2-cell stacks for portable power generator

Abstract

This study designed a planar carbon fiber composite collector plate with excellent conductivity and mechanical strength for use in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The collector plate is made of phenolic resin mixed with conductive particles such as graphite powder, and coated onto carbon fiber cloth. After the solvent is allowed to evaporate, the prepreg is cut and stacked layer by layer into a mold for the heat pressing process at 150 °C. The resin in the carbon fiber prepreg cloth is cured into a carbon fiber composite board. A computer numerical control (CNC) engraving machine was used to engrave the carbon fiber composite board into the current collector shape. The carbon fiber composite current collectors were placed into a high temperature furnace for the carbonization process. The resin between the carbon fibers is removed by the high temperature to increase conductivity. The carbon fiber composite collectors were assessed for conductivity, mechanical strength, and performance. Afterwards, a planar two cell fuel cell stack was assembled for testing performance and stability. A printed circuit board (PCB) was used to design the circuit and the planar two cell fuel cell module made using the heat pressing process. The planar two cell module was combined with a small hydrogen storage tank to form a portable power generation device.