Characteristics of graphite/ aluminate cement mold pressing composite bipolar plate

Graphite/ aluminate cement conductive composites , which will be used as the bipolar plate of proton exchange membrane fuel cell ( PEMFC) , were prepared by mold pressing at room temperature. The effect factors ofgraphite/ aluminate cement composite bipolar plate on the elect rical conductivity and the flexural st rength were investigated and discussed. The water content , gel capillary pore size and dist ribution and H₂ permeability of compositebipolar plate composites were measured. The test result s show that the conductivity and the flexural st rength of thecomposite bipolar plate can meet the PEMFC requirement s when the graphite content is 60 wt %. The compositebipolar plate contains capillary pores and the water content of the composite bipolar plate is about 7 wt % , which isdifferent f rom other composite bipolar plates. Therefore , it possesses self-humidifying function during the operatingprocess of the fuel cell. In addition , H₂ permeability of the composite bipolar plate is little.