Amorphous carbon coatings for fuel cell bipolar plates

摘要

A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The non-crystalline carbon layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, 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.

主权项

1. A method of making a flow field plate, the flow field plate comprising:
a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plurality of channels for directing flow a first gaseous composition; and a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate, the non-crystalline carbon layer having a carbon layer surface with a contact angle less than about 30 degrees, the method comprising:
depositing the non-crystalline carbon layer on the metallic plate; andactivating the carbon layer surface;such that the carbon layer surface is an activated surface having nitrogen atoms.