A Hydrophobic Surface Based on a Ni-P-PTFE Coating on a Metallic Bipolar Plate

摘要

The performance of 5052 aluminum bipolar plates (BPPs) with surface treatment for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems are characterized in this study. The coated bipolar plates are evaluated by the coating composition, contact angle, corrosion resistance, interfacial contact resistance and assembly test. The coated bipolar plate has active water-management ability due to the Ni-P-PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coating layer with low surface energy. The extremely hydrophobic property enhances the contact angle on the solid surface from 72° to 103°. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of the Ni-P-PTFE and substrate in the simulated environment are 1.02×10-6 and 9.22×10-4 A/cm2, respectively. Hence, the substrate with a Ni-P-PTFE coating retains its superior performance after a durability test. The result demonstrates that the whole performance of the PEMFC is directly related to the corrosion resistance and hydrophobic behaviour on 5052 aluminum bipolar plate.