Laminated exfoliated graphite composite-metal compositions for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications
An electrically conductive laminate composition for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications. The laminate composition comprises at least a thin metal sheet having two opposed exterior surfaces and a first exfoliated graphite composite sheet bonded to the first of the two exterior surfaces of the metal sheet wherein the exfoliated graphite composite sheet comprises: (a) expanded or exfoliated graphite and (b) a binder or matrix material to bond the expanded graphite for forming a cohered sheet, wherein the binder or matrix material is between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the first exfoliated graphite composite sheet. Preferably, the first exfoliated graphite composite sheet further comprises particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon in the amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the non-expandable particles and the expanded graphite. Further preferably, the laminate comprises a second exfoliated graphite composite sheet bonded to the second surface of the metal sheet to form a three-layer laminate. Surface flow channels and other desired geometric features can be built onto the exterior surfaces of the laminate to form a flow field plate or bipolar plate. The resulting laminate has an exceptionally high thickness-direction conductivity and excellent resistance to gas permeation.
- Research Organization:
- Nanotek Instruments, Inc., Dayton, OH (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Assignee:
- Nanotek Instruments, Inc. (Dayton, OH)
- Patent Number(s):
- 8,728,679
- Application Number:
- 11/807,379
- OSTI ID:
- 1132265
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2007 May 29
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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