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This study investigates the performance of single stack PEMFC using Cr-C and Nb-C coated 316L bipolar plates, demonstrating improved corrosion resistance and conductivity.

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What they did

System
MFC

What worked

Voltage0.51V

Abstract

Metallic bipolar plates tendency to have high contact resistance and corrosion after several times of usage affected performance of a cell in PEMFC stack. This study focused on the interfacial contact resistance (ICR) and corrosion resistance of SUS 316 L bipolar plates using Cr‒C and Nb‒C as coating layer, single stack performance in PEMFC were observed by experimental. The Cr‒C and Nb‒C coating layer acted as protective layer between SUS 316 L bipolar plates. Therefore, coating is a method in preventing the bipolar plates surface material from damage in the acidic environment of PEMFC. To develop corrosion-resistant and high conductivity bipolar plates for PEMFC, the coatings bipolar plates were applied to cell fabrication in comparison with bare SUS 316 L bipolar plates. The SUS 316 L bipolar plates size and electrode area were 50 mm² and 25 mm², respectively. The experiment was carried out on a prepared assembled single cell bipolar plates with the commercial membranes, conductive carbon papers and gasket. Initial performance of the single cells using Cr‒C and Nb‒C coatings over SUS 316 L bipolar plates were recorded at a cell voltage between 0.4 to 0.5 V, respectively. In comparison, Nb‒C gives good performance of corrosion resistance and the ICR value as low as 10‒12 A/cm² and 1.22 mΩ cm⁻². Additionally, it gives maximum power density of 137 mW/cm² at the cell voltage 0.51 V. The lifetime durability of the single cell significantly improved from the uncoated current density of 390 mA/cm² to 450 mA/cm² with Nb‒C coating layer.

Key findings

  • Cr-C and Nb-C coatings significantly reduce interfacial contact resistance (ICR) and corrosion of 316L bipolar plates.
  • The coatings improve the performance of single stack PEMFC, with initial performance recorded at a cell voltage between 0.4 to 0.5 V.
  • The coatings act as a protective layer between the bipolar plates and the acidic environment of PEMFC, preventing damage to the surface material.

Keywords

Proton exchange membrane fuel cellCorrosionCoatingStack (abstract data type)Composite materialTantalum carbide

Identifiers

DOI
10.17576/jkukm-2020-32(4)-05
Journal
Jurnal Kejuruteraan
Year
2020