Method for making super-hydrophilic and electrically conducting surfaces for fuel cell bipolar plates
US8603703B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for embedding a hydrophilic and electrically conductive layer into a flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell. In one embodiment, the layer is niobium doped titanium oxide in a powder form. The method includes mixing the powder material in a suitable solution, such as a solvent. The solution is deposited on a substrate, such as a stainless steel substrate, by any suitable process, such as brushing. The substrate is then heated so that the solvent evaporates to leave a coating of the powder material. The substrate is then positioned in a die press and is stamped to the shape of the bipolar plate, where the stamping operation embeds the powder material into an outer surface of the bipolar plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.