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Interfacial contact resistance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Recent developments and challenges

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  • Bhosale, Amit C.
  • Rengaswamy, Raghunathan

Abstract

Interfacial contact resistance in fuel cells is one of the primary challenges that needs to be overcome in the commercialization of fuel cells. This paper summarizes the governing parameters of the resistance such as surface morphology, contact pressure at the interface, electrical conductivities and corrosion resistance of gas diffusion layer and bipolar plate. Also, researchers’ contributions in modifying the cell components and clamping techniques are discussed in detail. Gas diffusion layer is found to be a crucial factor to control the contact resistance and hence its modification techniques are discussed. Moreover, surface of bipolar plate is prone to oxidation in acidic environment of the fuel cell. Different materials, anticorrosive coatings as well as surface modification techniques for the bipolar plate are therefore discussed in detail. Effect of clamping pressure on distribution of contact pressure is highlighted and various clamping techniques suggested by researchers are summarized. Effect of gasket selection on contact pressure distribution is considerable and therefore included in the paper. The review would be helpful for researchers in understanding the importance, reasons of existence and factors influencing the contact resistance at the interface of gas diffusion layer and bipolar plate.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhosale, Amit C. & Rengaswamy, Raghunathan, 2019. "Interfacial contact resistance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Recent developments and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:115:y:2019:i:c:s1364032119305593
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2019.109351
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    2. Luo, Lizhong & Huang, Bi & Bai, Xingying & Cheng, Zongyi & Jian, Qifei, 2020. "Temperature uniformity improvement of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with ultra-thin vapor chambers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
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    4. Zhiming Zhang & Jun Zhang & Yapeng Shang & Tong Zhang, 2022. "Study on the Optimal Cross-Sectional Shapes of the PEMFC Endplates by Using a Moment of Inertia and 3D FEM Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Sayed, Enas Taha & Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali & Bahaa, Ahmed & Eisa, Tasnim & Alawadhi, Hussain & Al-Asheh, Sameer & Chae, Kyu-Jung & Olabi, A.G., 2021. "Synthesis and performance evaluation of various metal chalcogenides as active anodes for direct urea fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    6. Zhiming Zhang & Jun Zhang & Liang Shi & Tong Zhang, 2022. "A Study of Contact Pressure with Thermo-Mechanical Coupled Action for a Full-Dimensional PEMFC Stack," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    7. Bhosale, Amit C. & Ghosh, Prakash C. & Assaud, Loïc, 2020. "Preparation methods of membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and unitized regenerative fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

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