Evaluation of silver-coated stainless steel bipolar plates for fuel cell applications

In this study, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology were applied to develop and produce stainless steel bipolar plates for DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell). Effect of surface modification on the cell performance of DMFC was investigated. Surface modifications of the stainless steel bipolar plates were made by the electroless plating method. A DMFC consisting of silver coated stainless steel as anode and uncoated stainless steel as cathode was assembled and evaluated. The methanol crossover rate (Re) of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) was decreased by about 52.8%, the efficiency (E-f) of DMFC increased about 7.1% and amounts of methanol electro-oxidation at the cathode side (M-co) were decreased by about 28.6%, as compared to uncoated anode polar plates. These measurements were determined by the transient current and mathematical analysis. (C) 2011 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.