Abstract
Bipolar plates (BPs) are important components of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). Graphite-epoxy composites, having a better corrosion resistance than metal-based BPs and better mechanical properties than graphite BPs, are a promising alternative. In this study, we tried to develop graphite-epoxy composites meeting the technical US DOE targets for 2020, with a proper choice of manufacturing conditions that ensure a good compromise between conductivity, flexural strength, and gas permeability. In particular, we studied the influence of the filler to binder ratio, changed the molding temperature and time, and investigated the effects of increasing pressure both on in-plane conductivity and on helium permeability. We found that both formulation and molding pressure are crucial in determining the permeability of the graphite-epoxy composites, whereas molding temperature and time seem to play a minor role.
Highlights
Hydrogen powered electric vehicles rely mainly on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) that are reaching the commercialization phase
We found that the molding pressure and composition play a crucial role in determining the gas permeability of the formed Bipolar plates (BPs), whereas in-plane conductivity (IPC) can be maintained at values well above the DOE targets
In this work we mainly investigated the role played by composition and pressure used in the molding process on IPC and HP of graphite-epoxy composites for BPs
Summary
Hydrogen powered electric vehicles rely mainly on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) that are reaching the commercialization phase. In our effort to develop graphiteepoxy composites meeting the US DOE technical targets for 2020 [2], we are searching for an optimal compromise between conductivity, flexural strength, and gas permeability. To this end, we are looking for synergistic combinations in the preparation phases (i.e., composite formulation, mixing, molding). We found that the molding pressure and composition play a crucial role in determining the gas permeability of the formed BP, whereas in-plane conductivity (IPC) can be maintained at values well above the DOE targets
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