Influence of corrosion of SS316L bipolar plate on PEFC performance

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 231; pp. 226 - 233
• Main Authors: Miyazawa, Atsushi, Tada, Eiji, Nishikata, Atsushi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.06.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bipolar plate; Corrosion; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Polymer electrolyte fuel cell; SS316L; Bipolar plate; Corrosion; Polymer electrolyte fuel cell; SS316L; Performance evaluation; Iron oxide; Polymer electrolytes; Anode; Cathode; Permeation; Polymer solid electrolyte; Contact resistance; Diffusion layer; Precipitation; Stainless steel-316; Stainless steel; Lixiviation; Electric power production; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Solid electrolyte fuel cells
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.12.088

This paper presents an investigation concerning the effect of metallic bipolar plate corrosion on reducing the power generation performance of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The power generation performance of a single cell having a stainless steel (SS316L) bipolar plate only on the anode side was evaluated experimentally. The results made clear the corrosion behavior on the bipolar plate and the cause of the decline in power generation performance of the cell. The principal cause of the performance decline was an increase in contact resistance between the bipolar plate and the gas diffusion layer (GDL). That is attributed to an increase of iron oxide content in a passive film over the entire bipolar plate surface and precipitation of thick iron oxides in the gas downstream area. The leaching of Fe ions outside the cell was negligible, as was their permeation from the anode to the cathode. Accordingly, there were virtually no signs of an accelerated decline in the conductivity of the electrolyte or its decomposition. ► A single cell having the SS316L bipolar plate only on the anode side was evaluated. ► The main cause of the performance decline was an increase in contact resistance between the bipolar plate and the GDL. ► The influence of the leaching of Fe ion on the GDL property was negligible.