Low cost, Ceramic MaxPhase~(TM) protective coatings for stainless steel bipolar plates

摘要

The multifunctional requirements of the fuel cell (FC) bipolar plates (BPP) include cell separation, gas distribution, current collection, and structural integrity of the FC stack. While the requirements are fulfilled by graphite plates, this material makes the BPP heavy, bulky, fragile, and costly. Producing plates from stainless steel circumvents the shortcomings of graphite. However, standard grade stainless steel cannot withstand the corrosive FC environment, which will result in deterioration of the membrane from corrosion products and subsequent cell failure. Coatings of noble metals, such as Au, will not deteriorate during operation, but most likely fail to meet the US Department of Energy (DOE) cost target. The lack of available coatings that are chemically stable under FC operation conditions and that meet the cost target impedes the transition from graphite to stainless steel BPP.