A comparison of nickel coated and uncoated sintered stainless steel used as bipolar plates in low-temperature fuel cells

摘要

Bipolar plates (BP) represent a multifunctional component in PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells). Materials used for bipolar plates should have good corrosion resistance in high acidity and high temperature environments. The most common material for BP is graphite (high thermal and chemical resistivity, high electrical conductivity but low mechanical strength). Recently carbon layers deposited on metallic substrates, such as stainless steel (SS), have been proposed to be used as BP in PEMFC.