Composite bipolar plate for electrochemical cells
First Claim
1. A bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate for use in an electrochemical cell comprising an electrically conductive plate molded from a thermosetting vinyl ester resin matrix having a conductive powder embedded therein in an amount effective to provide a electrical conductivity of at least about 10 S/cm for said bipolar plate and having the flow channels formed in the thermosetting vinyl ester resin matrix.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar separator plate for fuel cells consists of a molded mixture of a vinyl ester resin and graphite powder. The plate serves as a current collector and may contain fluid flow fields for the distribution of reactant gases. The material is inexpensive, electrically conductive, lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant, easily mass produced, and relatively impermeable to hydrogen gas. The addition of certain fiber reinforcements and other additives can improve the properties of the composite material without significantly increasing its overall cost.
152 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate for use in an electrochemical cell comprising an electrically conductive plate molded from a thermosetting vinyl ester resin matrix having a conductive powder embedded therein in an amount effective to provide a electrical conductivity of at least about 10 S/cm for said bipolar plate and having the flow channels formed in the thermosetting vinyl ester resin matrix.
- 6. A bipolar plate for use in an electrochemical cell comprising an electrically conductive plate molded from a vinyl ester resin binder having graphite powder and short cotton fibers embedded therein.
-
9. A material composition for electrochemical cell bipolar plates comprising:
-
a vinyl ester resin;
a surface modifying agent of a fluorochemical intermediate effective to provide for mold release and for surface hydrophobicity; and
graphite powder having particle sizes predominantly between 80 and 325 mesh in the range 20 to 95% by weight. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A bipolar plate for use in an electrochemical cell consisting essentially of an electrically conductive plate molded from a thermosetting vinyl ester resin matrix;
- a conductive powder; and
reinforcement fibers selected from the group consisting of graphite/carbon, glass, cotton, and polymer. - View Dependent Claims (14)
- a conductive powder; and
Specification