TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method of applying a coating to a flow field plate (e.g., bipolar plate) of a fuel cell.

BACKGROUND

Flow field plates (e.g., bipolar plates) are an expensive component of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack. In many instances, the flow field plates are the second most expensive component, with the catalyst material typically being the most expensive. Stainless steel plates have been utilized as a relatively low-cost material for the flow field plates. However, stainless steel plates may be susceptible to corrosion in the acidic environment during the operation of PEMFCs. While coatings have been proposed to help reduce corrosive behavior, there remains a need for a coating system that adequately protects flow field plates while not degrading functional performance of the PEMFC stack.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method of applying a coating to a flow field plate of a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes applying a solution including a metal-containing precursor and a solvent to at least a portion of a surface of a flow field plate. The method further includes evaporating the solvent to form a coating on the at least the portion of the surface of the flow field plate.

According to another embodiment, a method of applying a coating to a flow field plate of a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes calculating one or more adsorption energies of one or more reactive elements, respectively, on a plurality of coating materials. The method further includes selecting a protective coating material from the plurality of coating materials based on the one or more adsorption energies. The method also includes selecting a deposition method for depositing the protective coating material onto a surface of the flow field plate based on the one or more adsorption energies or an electronic conductivity of each of the plurality of coating materials. The method further includes applying the protective coating material using the deposition method to the surface of the flow field plate.

According to yet another embodiment, a method of applying a coating to a flow field plate of a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes calculating one or more adsorption energies of one or more reactive elements, respectively, on a plurality of coating materials, selecting a protective coating combination from the plurality of coating materials based on the one or more adsorption energies, and applying the protective coating combination to a surface of the flow field plate.

