Abstract
In this study, 3D-printed polymer bipolar plates were fabricated and applied to the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In order to overcome the poor electronic conductivity of polymer bipolar plates, silver current collecting layers were deposited using a sputter process. Influences of the thickness of the current collecting layer were carefully investigated to optimize the thickness. Using a sputter process, current collecting layers were successfully deposited without clear evidence of defects. Additionally, the increment in the total weight of bipolar plates was minimized. The average thickness of the silver current collecting layer was varied from 216 nm to 1.46 um. The results showed the fuel cell with 1.46 um thick Ag current collecting layer coated 3D printed bipolar plates achieved 0.96 V of the open circuit voltage and 308.35 mW/cm2 of performance at 25 °C.
Highlights
Fuel cells, including polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid oxide fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and molten carbonate membrane fuel cells, are considered as the strongest candidates for power generation systems for the hydrogen society [1].Fuel cells are distinguished by their electrolyte materials and operating temperatures [1].Among the various types of fuel cells, PEMFCs are considered as especially promising power generation devices for mobile applications such as cars, drones, and ships because of high performance, low operating temperatures, no pollutants, short start up/shut down, etc. [1–10]
PEMFCs have been widely adopted in power sources of fuel cell electric vehicles (e.g., NEXO by Hyundai motors; Mirai, Toyota motors)
PEMFCs have been studied when used as portable power sources because of their relatively higher power densities, low operating temperatures, and ease of handling [1–3,7,11]
Summary
Fuel cells, including polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid oxide fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and molten carbonate membrane fuel cells, are considered as the strongest candidates for power generation systems for the hydrogen society [1].Fuel cells are distinguished by their electrolyte materials and operating temperatures [1].Among the various types of fuel cells, PEMFCs are considered as especially promising power generation devices for mobile applications such as cars, drones, and ships because of high performance, low operating temperatures, no pollutants, short start up/shut down, etc. [1–10]. Fuel cells are distinguished by their electrolyte materials and operating temperatures [1]. Among the various types of fuel cells, PEMFCs are considered as especially promising power generation devices for mobile applications such as cars, drones, and ships because of high performance, low operating temperatures, no pollutants, short start up/shut down, etc. PEMFCs have been widely adopted in power sources of fuel cell electric vehicles (e.g., NEXO by Hyundai motors; Mirai, Toyota motors). PEMFCs have been studied when used as portable power sources because of their relatively higher power densities, low operating temperatures, and ease of handling [1–3,7,11]. PEMFCs usually use stainless steel bipolar plates because of their low cost, high processability, relatively higher electronic conductivity, resistance to corrosion, etc. Stainless steel bipolar plates are widely adopted in PEMFC systems for transportation
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