Application of graphite/copper material to hydrogen cells

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2007

Authors

José Duarte Marafona (Author) FEUP; H. Branquinho (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: IV International Materials Simposium

Pages: 518-518

MATERIAIS 2007

FEUP - PORTO - PORTUGAL, 1 a 4 April 2007

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences

Other information

Abstract (EN): The present article shows the application of the graphite/copper material in the production of bipolar plates of hydrogen cells. Traditionally, the used bipolar plate material is graphite, both natural as well as synthetic, because it has excellent chemical stability in the fuel cell environment. It has very low resistivity, resulting in highest electrochemical power output. However, it has problems of high cost, low mechanical strength and the need for machining to form the flow channels. Thus, the material generally is non porous graphite but other type of materials has been used, but with fair output power. Hence, the present research is looking to better alternative materials using as base material graphite impregnated copper, as described here. The total production cost of a graphite/copper bipolar plate is approximately fifty percent less than of a graphite bipolar plate. The general application of graphite/copper material is in Electrical Discharge Machining tools. The use of this material in the process signifies its submersion in hydrocarbon oil. Graphite/copper material presents high thermal and electrical conductivity, so with probability of producing higher power output. Thus the authors are evaluating its performance as bipolar plate’s material. The performance of the graphite/copper bipolar plates is compared with graphite plates using the same operation conditions. Thus, the relationships between the power of the cell and the current density and between power density and current density are compared to the two materials.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific