Optimization of characteristics and construction of composite bipolar plates of polymer fuel cells

This study investigates the construction of polymer/graphic composite bipolar plates via hot compression molding for use in polymer fuel cells and the optimization of characteristics by experimental test design. For this purpose, the Minitab software is used. Besides, this study was examined the physical, mechanical, and electrical characteristics of the constructed bipolar plates through performing the tests of water absorption, calculation of density, the test bending strength, contact resistance, electrical conductance. The pressure and the curing time were considered as the input parameters of the optimization, and the goal is to optimize the flexural strength and interfacial contact resistance to achieve the U.S Department of Energy's 2020 target for the bipolar plates of polymer fuel cells. The results show that with a pressure of 79.499 MPa and the curing time under pressure was 70s, the parameters of flexural strength and optimum interfacial contact resistance are 53.91 MPa and 10.57 mΩ.cm2, respectively. The properties also include water absorption and electrical conductivity in the through-plane (TP) direction 0.36 percent and 27.22 (S/m) respectively, which is in line with the goals of the US Department of Energy.