POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL WITH BIPOLAR PLATE HAVING INTEGRALLY MOLDED CONDUCTIVE INSERT

摘要

A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprised of polymer electrolyte membranes, gas diffusion electrodes that sandwich the membranes, and bipolar plates operating as gas separation plates and current collectors with fuel/oxidizing agent supply and discharge passages. A bipolar plate is employed comprising a frame of melt-processible polymer of good fluidity and with superior acid and hydrolytic resistance and a carbon plate or corrosion-resistant conductive plate integrally molded into the frame. The carbon or corrosion-resistant metal plate has concave and convex parts on both surfaces which provide the fuel/oxidizing agent supply and discharge passages when the bipolar plate is in contact with the gas diffusion electrodes.