Back to results
US 9,520,600 B2Granted
Conductive and hydrophilic bipolar plate coatings and method of making the same
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsGayatri Vyas Dadheech, Michael J. Lukitsch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The carbon layer is overcoated with a titanium oxide layer to form a titanium oxide/carbon bilayer. The titanium oxide/carbon bilayer may be activated to increase hydrophilicity. The flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.
Claims14
A flow field plate for fuel cell applications comprising:
- a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plurality of channels for directing flow of a first gaseous composition;
- a carbon layer disposed over and directly connected to at least a portion of the metal plate;
- and
- a titanium oxide layer disposed over and directly connected to at least a portion of the carbon layer to form a titanium oxide/carbon bilayer wherein the titanium oxide/carbon bilayer is activated by a UV or plasma source to render the titanium oxide/carbon bilayer surface clean and maintain hydrophilicity.
1 more element
A flow field plate for fuel cell applications comprising:
- a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plurality of channels for directing flow of a first gaseous composition;
- a carbon layer disposed over and directly connected to at least a portion of the metal plate;
- and
- a titanium oxide layer disposed over and directly connected to at least a portion of the carbon layer to form a titanium oxide/carbon bilayer wherein the titanium oxide/carbon bilayer is activated by visible light after treatment with a nitrogen-containing gas.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.