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Surface modifications of gasketless carbon composite bipolar plates for gas tightness of PEM fuel cells

  • Jun Woo Lim
  • , Dai Gil Lee*
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Abstract

A carbon fiber composite gasketless bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells was developed using the groove of a trapezoidal shape, which develops large contact stresses due to a wedge mechanism. The surface of the composite groove was modified to increase gas tightness without using rubber gaskets. Graphite, polyimide (PI) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film were co-cure bonded on the surface of the bipolar plate during the compression molding process to change its surface hardness, which could affect the gas tightness. Additionally, plasma surface treatment and mechanical abrasion were used to modify the surface morphologies. Corrosion and gas tightness tests on the surface modified bipolar plates were performed to verify the reliability of the gasketless sealing method.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12343-12352
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume38
Issue number28
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

  • Carbon composite
  • Gasketless bipolar plate
  • Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
  • Sealability
  • Surface treatment

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