EP4158709A1 - Élément plat bipolaire - Google Patents

Élément plat bipolaire

Info

Publication number
EP4158709A1
EP4158709A1 EP21730488.0A EP21730488A EP4158709A1 EP 4158709 A1 EP4158709 A1 EP 4158709A1 EP 21730488 A EP21730488 A EP 21730488A EP 4158709 A1 EP4158709 A1 EP 4158709A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flat
layer
bipolar
binder
expanded graphite
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP21730488.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Koeck
Werner Langer
Christina LOEFFLAD
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SGL Carbon SE
Original Assignee
SGL Carbon SE
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SGL Carbon SE filed Critical SGL Carbon SE
Publication of EP4158709A1 publication Critical patent/EP4158709A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0223—Composites
    • H01M8/0228—Composites in the form of layered or coated products
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0241—Composites
    • H01M8/0245—Composites in the form of layered or coated products
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0213—Gas-impermeable carbon-containing materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0232—Metals or alloys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0234—Carbonaceous material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0239—Organic resins; Organic polymers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
    • H01M8/184—Regeneration by electrochemical means
    • H01M8/188—Regeneration by electrochemical means by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flat bipolar element, a fuel cell or redox flow battery having the flat bipolar element and a method for producing the flat bipolar element.
  • Their production comprises an ultrasonic treatment of EIG (obtained with the help of intercalated sulfuric acid) in cyclohexane, mixing the EIG in cyclohexane with a specific silicone elastomer and then casting conductive composite films so that a graphite content of 10% by weight is obtained in the final composite.
  • EIG obtained with the help of intercalated sulfuric acid
  • a specific silicone elastomer obtained with the help of intercalated sulfuric acid
  • conductive composite films so that a graphite content of 10% by weight is obtained in the final composite.
  • the graphite content was increased to up to 20% by weight, but no further increase in electrical conductivity could be achieved above 15%.
  • the present invention addresses other problems. It is assigned to the field of fuel cell technology and redox flow battery technology.
  • FC Fuel cells
  • RFB redox flow batteries
  • Bipolar flat elements can have flow fields.
  • a flow field is a channel structure which is formed on the surface of the bipolar flat element and which promotes a uniform distribution of reactants over the entire surface.
  • Such flow fields can be formed by deformation, e.g. by pressing in the flow field. It is conceivable here to apply a layer protecting against corrosion and disintegration before the deformation (pre-coating) or after the deformation (post-coating). The problem with precoating is that the layer has to be deformed at the same time. No cracks may appear in the layer. When recoating, it is difficult to apply an even, dense layer to the deformed, e.g. wavy surface.
  • the present invention has set itself the task of overcoming these difficulties by providing a bipolar flat element.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a bipolar flat element with which an FC or RFB can be operated energetically efficiently and permanently, which is also particularly easy to manufacture and can be tailored to a specific FC or RFB with little effort.
  • a flat bipolar element comprising a layer which contains expanded graphite and a binder, the layer being attached to at least one of the two main surfaces of a flat, electrically conductive element.
  • Such a flat bipolar element enables electrical current to flow through the layer into the flat, electrically conductive element, and prevents or impedes the passage of gas or (corrosive) liquids through the layer.
  • the layer thus prevents the flat, electrically conductive element from coming into direct contact with surrounding, corrosive fluids.
  • electrically conductive elements susceptible to corrosion can also be used in corrosive media from FC or RFB. This is because the layer acts as a corrosion protection layer without offering any significant resistance to the electrical current.
  • electrically conductive elements coated according to the invention which per se would not be sufficiently gas-tight, can be sealed by the layer and thus used in FC as bipolar flat elements.
  • the flat, electrically conductive element can be a film or a plate. There are no restrictions with regard to the geometry of the film or plate; it can be, for example, a rectangular or square, flat, electrically conductive element.
  • the flat, electrically conductive element can be made of any material known to the person skilled in the art as a material for bipolar plates or bipolar flat elements for FC and / or RFB.
  • the flat, electrically conductive element can be a metallic flat element.
  • the term metallic includes metallic alloys.
  • the metal flat member may be a metal foil, a metal sheet or a metal plate, e.g., a steel foil, a stainless steel foil, a steel sheet, a stainless steel sheet, a steel plate or a stainless steel plate.
  • the thickness of the metallic flat element can be 10 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m, e.g. 20 ⁇ m to 250 ⁇ m.
  • the invention makes the usual deformation of a metallic flat element to form a flow field superfluous. This is because the layer can have a flow field.
  • the flat, electrically conductive element can be a graphite-containing flat element.
  • the graphite-containing flat element may contain expanded graphite. This means that the graphite contained is wholly or partially in the form of expanded graphite.
  • graphite foils Flat surface elements containing expanded graphite are known, for example, as graphite foils.
  • graphite foils can be produced by treating graphite with certain acids, a graphite salt being formed with acid anions intercalated between graphite layers. The graphite salt is then expanded by exposing it to high temperatures of e.g. 800 ° C. The expanded graphite obtained during the expansion is then pressed to form the graphite foil.
  • a method for producing graphite foils is described, for example, in EP 1 120 378 B1.
  • the mass fraction of binder in the layer is higher than the mass fraction of binder in the flat element.
  • the invention offers surprising advantages.
  • a binder In the conventional production of flat elements made from expanded graphite, a binder must always be added to the expanded graphite or the flat element must be subsequently impregnated. This can also be done with a tie. This achieves the required gas tightness.
  • the binder distributed in the flat element the electrical properties deteriorate.
  • additional process steps are required to introduce the binder. The workability, adaptability and compressibility of the flat element is also adversely affected by the binder.
  • the layer (in particular the binder contained therein) seals the main surface (preferably both main surfaces) of the graphite-containing flat element and thus ensures the required gas tightness. Since the binder is concentrated on the layer, the graphite expandate (of the graphite-containing flat element which is essentially free of binder) determines the processability, adaptability and compressibility of the bipolar flat element.
  • the electrically conductive element is a flat element containing expanded graphite.
  • One layer each, which contains expanded graphite and a binder, is attached to one of the two main surfaces of the flat element containing expanded graphite.
  • An area essentially free of binder is preferably present between the two layers in the flat element. In the area essentially free of binder, the mass fraction of binder is less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 6% by weight, for example less than 2% by weight.
  • the surface-specific volume resistance of the bipolar flat element can, for example, be at most 20 mQ cm 2 , preferably at most 10 mQ cm 2 .
  • the layer e.g. the layers attached to the two main surfaces
  • the thickness of the layer can be in the range from 5 to 500 ⁇ m, preferably in the range from 10 to 250 ⁇ m, for example in the range from 20 to 100 ⁇ m. If there are layers on both main surfaces are attached, this preferably applies to each layer. This has the effect that the total resistance of the FC or RFB can be kept at a low level and, at the same time, there is corrosion stability and gas tightness.
  • the thickness of the layer at the thinnest points of the layer can be in the range from 5 to 250 ⁇ m.
  • the layer is thicker and has a thickness in the range from 20 to 500 ⁇ m.
  • the two layers that are attached to the two main surfaces can each have a flow field.
  • a layer having a flow field is obtained when the layer is treated with an embossing tool in order to impress a flow field in the layer itself without deforming the metal flat element itself. It can be assumed that this property is achieved by (almost) irreversible compression of expanded graphite of the layer in those areas where the embossing tool touches down.
  • the layer can be single-layer or multi-layer. If a layer is applied to both main surfaces of the flat, electrically conductive element, both layers can be single-layer, both layers can be multilayered, or one layer can be single-layered and the other layer can be multilayered.
  • one layer can differ from another adjacent layer in that the mass fraction of expanded graphite and / or the mass fraction of binder is different in one layer than in the other layer.
  • the mass fraction of binder is preferably higher in a layer located closer to a main surface of the flat, electrically conductive element than in a layer of the same layer located further away from this main surface.
  • the mass fraction of expanded graphite is then at the same time higher in the layer located further away from this main surface than in the layer of the same layer located closer to this main surface of the metal element. It is assumed that the layer attached closer to the main surface then provides a very high level of impermeability and corrosion resistance.
  • the layer further away from the substrate or from the main surface of the metal element has due to their higher proportion of expanded graphite, a higher electrical conductivity.
  • a flow field can be better impressed in the layer which is further away from the main surface of the metal element, since it has a higher proportion of compressible, expanded graphite.
  • a bipolar flat element with a multilayer layer comprising a first and a second layer which are adjacent to one another, both layers containing expanded graphite and a binder, the mass fraction of binder in the first layer being higher than in the second layer and in the second layer the mass fraction of expanded graphite is higher than in the first layer.
  • a flat bipolar element comprising the multilayer layer on at least one of the two main surfaces (preferably on both main surfaces) of a flat, electrically conductive element.
  • At least the second layer, which is further away from the main surface of the flat, electrically conductive element, can be obtained with a coating agent in which the ratio Q B is at least 0.25.
  • the first layer which is closer to the main surface of the flat electrically conductive element removed can be obtained with an inventive coating agent, wherein the ratio of Q B is at least 0.25, is then ensures that Q B of the coating agent, the used for the production of the second layer is higher than Q B of the coating agent used for the production of the first layer.
  • a non-coating agent in which the ratio Q B is less than 0.25 can also be used as the coating agent which is used for the production of the first layer.
  • areas occupied by expanded graphite can have an average length parallel to the surfaces of the layer which is at least twice, in particular at least four times, preferably at least six times, e.g. at least eight times as large as its average thickness. If the layer has a flow field, this relationship of mean length to mean thickness applies at least in a particularly thin region of the layer. The mean thickness is measured orthogonally to the surfaces of the layer. If the coating agent described herein is applied to the flat, electrically conductive element, its thickness can be greatly reduced by compression.
  • the cut surface can be formed with the help of a wire saw and subsequent polishing.
  • a focused ion beam can also be used.
  • the cut surface of the layer is then analyzed microscopically.
  • the ratio Q s which is calculated according to the following equation: where m S G stands for the mass of the expanded graphite contained in the layer and ms R stands for the mass of the non-volatile layer components contained in the layer, be at least 0.25.
  • Q s is preferably at most 0.97.
  • Q s can in particular be in the range from 0.25 to 0.94, preferably in the range from 0.30 to 0.90, particularly preferably in the range from 0.30 to 0.80.
  • the layer contains a binder.
  • Any binder is suitable with which the layer on the electrically conductive element can be made sufficiently gas-tight and / or in such a way that the flat, electrically conductive element is attacked more slowly by the surrounding, corrosive medium than without the layer.
  • the binder can, for example, comprise thermoplastics and / or thermosets. Thermoplastics are easy to process. They are thermally malleable. Layers containing a thermoplastic can be deformed, for example, by warm calendering. If a thermoset is contained in the layer as a binder, this enables particularly high heat resistance. Bipolar flat elements with such layers can be used, for example, in high-temperature PEM fuel cells, for example at a typical operating temperature of 180.degree.
  • the binder can comprise polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyphenylene sulfides, fluoropolymers, phenolic resins, furan resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and / or polyester resins.
  • Fluoropolymers are preferred because of their particularly high corrosion resistance. Suitable fluoropolymers include polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymers, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymers have proven to be particularly suitable fluoropolymers.
  • the binder can comprise silicon compounds comprising a radical R, where
  • R for -Si (OR 1 ) (OR 2 ) (OR 3 ), -0-Si (0R 1 ) (0R 2 ) (R 3 ), or -0-Si (0R 1 ) (0R 2 ) (0R 3 ) is where
  • R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are radicals each bonded via a carbon atom.
  • R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are preferably hydrocarbyl, alkoxyhydrocarbyl or polyalkoxyhydrocarbyl, particularly preferably alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or polyalkoxyhydrocarbyl, very particularly preferably Ci-Ci 8 -alkyl, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl of which methyl is particularly preferred.
  • the silicon compound can be a polymeric silicon compound.
  • the silicon compound can comprise a polymer chain which has several R radicals.
  • a flat bipolar element according to the invention can be obtained by applying a coating agent to a flat, electrically conductive element, the coating agent containing expanded graphite and a binder.
  • the ratio Q B of the mass of the expanded graphite contained in the coating agent to the residual dry mass of the coating agent is preferably at least 0.25.
  • the ratio Q B can therefore be calculated using the following equation: where m B G stands for the mass of the expanded graphite contained in the coating agent and m B R stands for the residual dry mass of the coating agent.
  • the ratio Q B can be at least 0.25. There is no upper limit to Q B , since in the case of relatively thick coatings, even with very high proportions of expanded graphite, dense layers that protect against corrosion can be produced.
  • Q B is preferably at most 0.97.
  • Q B can in particular be in the range from 0.25 to 0.94, preferably in the range from 0.30 to 0.90, particularly preferably in the range from 0.30 to 0.80.
  • Q B can be determined as follows:
  • All volatile constituents are removed from the first sample by evaporation.
  • the temperature is kept as low as possible so that the binder does not begin to decompose.
  • the coating agent contains relatively high-boiling but volatile diluents such as / V, / V-dimethylformamide (DMF) or A / -methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)
  • the evaporation takes place under vacuum, for example in a medium vacuum.
  • solvents e.g. n-heptane or ethylbenzene for DMF
  • the residual dry mass of the first sample is then determined by weighing. If it contains volatile binder components, proceed as described with the first sample, but harden the binder beforehand or during evaporation.
  • the residual dry mass m BR is therefore the mass of the im Coating agent contained, non-volatile coating agent components, which comprises binder and expanded graphite.
  • the mass of the non-volatile layer components contained in the layer is also determined, the layer being first peeled off. Removal can be done mechanically or, for example, with a volatile solvent.
  • the expanded graphite is separated from the second sample by filtration, the expanded graphite filter cake is washed with solvent in order to free it from residual binder, the thus obtained expanded graphite is dried and its mass rri BG is determined by weighing.
  • Q B is then calculated by dividing the mass of the expanded graphite m BG , which was separated off from the second sample, by the residual dry mass m BR , which was determined from the first sample.
  • the coating agent is suitable for forming the layer.
  • the layer is electrically conductive.
  • electrically conductive refers to the electrical conductivity through the layer. In the case of a flat bipolar element, it is important that there is electrical conductivity through the layer so that the area-specific volume resistance of the flat bipolar element is sufficiently low for the FC or RFB to operate economically.
  • the coating agent contains expanded graphite.
  • Expanded graphite is also known as expanded graphite or expandable graphite.
  • the production of expanded graphite is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 1, 137,373 and US Pat. No. 1, 191, 383.
  • expanded graphite can be produced, for example, by treating graphite with certain acids, a graphite salt being formed with acid anions intercalated between graphite layers. The graphite salt is then expanded by exposing it to high temperatures of 800 ° C, for example.
  • graphite such as natural graphite
  • an intercalate such as nitric acid or sulfuric acid
  • the expanded graphite contained in the coating agent is typically a partially mechanically exfoliated expanded graphite.
  • Partially mechanically exfoliated means that the expanded worm-like structure is in a partially sheared form; partial shearing takes place, for example, by ultrasound treatment of the worm-shaped structure. In the case of ultrasound treatment, there is only partial exfoliation, so that mean particle sizes d50 in the micrometer range can be measured.
  • the expanded graphite contained in the coating agent should therefore not be restricted to partially mechanically exfoliated expanded graphite.
  • the expanded graphite can be described in more detail, for example, via its mean particle size, regardless of the way in which the mean particle size can be set.
  • the expanded graphite contained in the coating agent is generally in the form of particles.
  • Their mean particle size d50 can be less than 50 ⁇ m, generally less than 30 ⁇ m, preferably less than 25 ⁇ m, particularly preferably less than 20 ⁇ m, e.g. less than 15 ⁇ m.
  • the mean particle size d50 is determined as described herein. Small particle sizes promote a high degree of impermeability of the layer that can be formed with the coating agent. If the mean particle size d50 is small compared to the layer thickness, no (or virtually no) particle extends over the entire layer thickness. This increases both the corrosion resistance of a bipolar flat element coated with the coating agent and the mechanical strength of the layer. As a result, a high degree of design freedom for river fields and at the same time a particularly high stability of the FC or RFB is achieved.
  • the desired particle size distribution can be set by means of ultrasound treatment, e.g. as shown below by way of example.
  • the mean particle sizes d50 specified here are based on volume.
  • the underlying particle size distributions (volume-related distribution sum Q 3 and distribution density q 3 ) are determined by laser diffraction according to ISO 13320-2009.
  • a Sympatec measuring device with a SUCELL dispersion unit and HELOS (H2295) sensor unit can be used.
  • Certain coating agents do not contain any particles with a diameter of more than 100 ⁇ m. It is particularly preferred if it does not contain any particles whose diameter is more than 50 ⁇ m. The person skilled in the art determines this by guiding the coating agent through a grid with a mesh size of 100 ⁇ m or with a mesh size of 50 ⁇ m.
  • the coating agent is, if necessary, diluted to such an extent that it can easily pass through the grid.
  • Coating agent (possibly diluted) standing on the grid is carefully stirred in order to break up agglomerates of smaller particles. If the coating agent adheres to this upper particle size limit, it is stable and can be used in a variety of ways without narrow pores, e.g. from sieves, nozzles, etc., which certain coating devices, in particular coating devices for spraying the coating agent can have, clogging during processing.
  • the coating agent generally contains a diluent.
  • a diluent typically, at least a portion of the expanded graphite is dispersed in the diluent and at least a portion of the binder is dispersed or dissolved in the diluent.
  • Further advantages consist in the ability to adjust the viscosity as required through a targeted selection of the diluent content.
  • the diluent can include water or organic solvents.
  • Preferred organic solvents are polar aprotic solvents and aromatic solvents.
  • Suitable polar aprotic solvents include ketones, N-alkylated organic amides, or N-alkylated organic ureas; ketones or N-alkylated cyclic organic amides or N-alkylated cyclic organic ureas are preferred, for example acetone, NMP and DMF.
  • Suitable aromatic solvents include alkylbenzenes, in particular mono- or dialkylbenzenes, preferably toluene or xylenes, for example toluene.
  • those whose boiling point at 1013.25 mbar is below 250.degree. C., in particular below 230.degree.
  • the coating agent can contain 1 to 35% by weight, preferably 2 to 25% by weight, particularly preferably 2.5 to 20% by weight, of expanded graphite. It was found that stable coating agents could be formulated within these limits, which at the same time could be applied very well to the main surfaces of the flat, electrically conductive element. The layers obtained in this way also had low electrical resistances, so that bipolar flat elements with very low area-specific volume resistances could be realized.
  • the coating agent preferably contains a dispersing aid.
  • a dispersing aid can be used which effect steric stabilization, its static stabilization or electrosteric stabilization of the coating composition.
  • suitable dispersing aids the person skilled in the art has recourse to the relevant specialist literature (see, for example, Artur Goldschmidt, Hans-Joachim Streitberger: BASF-Handbuch Lackiertechnik. Vincentz, Hannover 2002, ISBN 3-87870-324-4).
  • the dispersing aid can be a cationic, an anionic (for example alcohol ethoxy sulfate [AES]), a zwitterionic surfactant or a polymeric dispersing aid.
  • Polyalkoxylated compounds for example Tween20 or Tween80
  • polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP
  • a particularly preferred dispersing aid is PVP.
  • the dispersing aid has the effect that the coating agent is present as a particularly stable dispersion. The settling behavior is improved, especially when water is used as a diluent. It has also been found that the viscosity of the coating agent can be adjusted through the amount of the dispersing aid. Ultimately, a coating agent with a dispersant can be better stored and better processed.
  • the dispersing aid is also contained in the layer formed with the coating agent.
  • the layer can be a dispersing aid contain, for example, one of the dispersing auxiliaries mentioned here in connection with the coating agent.
  • the invention also relates to a fuel cell having a bipolar flat element according to the invention.
  • the invention also relates to a redox flow battery having a flat bipolar element according to the invention.
  • the invention also relates to a method for producing a bipolar flat element, a coating agent containing expanded graphite and a binder being applied to a flat, electrically conductive element.
  • the coating agent can be applied in an initial coating agent strength.
  • the layer composite formed in this way is preferably calendered. During calendering, at least in certain surface areas of the layer composite, the thickness of the layer is reduced to a maximum of half, preferably a maximum of a quarter, e.g. a maximum of an eighth of the initial coating agent thickness. In this way, a bipolar flat element can be produced in a particularly simple manner, in which the layer has a flow field.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show particle size distributions of expanded graphite in the form of particles.
  • the water-based graphite dispersion was dried at 100 ° C. for 24 hours. An easily (re) dispersible premix was obtained. This contained expanded graphite in the form of particles and approx. 0.65% by weight of the dispersing aid polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a little benzoic acid.
  • PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone
  • PVDF-HFP polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer
  • the particle size distribution of the coating agent was measured. It is shown in FIG.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 The particle size distributions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 were determined with a Shimadzu SALD-7500 measuring apparatus with batch cell by laser diffraction according to ISO 13320-2009.
  • a metal foil with a thickness of 0.1 mm was coated on both sides with a thickness of about 200 ⁇ m with the coating agent.
  • the coated metal foil was then pressed at 200 ° C. with an embossing tool. This enabled an embossed flow field to be introduced into the applied layer without deforming the metal foil.
  • the depth of the channels was approx. 100 ⁇ m.
  • a metal foil with a thickness of 0.1 mm was coated on both sides with a thickness of about 100 ⁇ m with the coating agent.
  • the coating agent used contained 5.5% by weight of expanded graphite, 15% by weight of PVDF-HFP in the diluent acetone.
  • a second coating agent was then coated on both sides with a thickness of approx. 400 ⁇ m.
  • the coating agent used here contained 15% by weight of expanded graphite, 8% by weight of PVDF-HFP in the diluent acetone.
  • the metal foil coated in multiple layers in this way was then pressed at 200 ° C. with an embossing tool. As a result, an embossed flow field could be introduced into the applied, multilayered layer without deforming the metal foil.
  • the depth of the channels was approx. 350 pm.
  • a graphite foil with a density of 0.3 g / cm 3 and a thickness of 2 mm was coated with a coating agent.
  • the layer thickness was 100 ⁇ m on both sides.
  • the coating composition contained 5.5% by weight of expanded graphite, 8% by weight of PVDF-HFP in the diluent acetone. It was made as described above.
  • the so coated Graphite foil was then pressed at 200 ° C. with an embossing tool. This made it possible to produce a dense, embossed pattern.
  • the coating compositions according to the invention can be calendered.
  • a coating agent was applied to a metal foil with a doctor blade height of 300 ⁇ m.
  • the layer was then compressed to a thickness of only 25 ⁇ m by calendering the layer composite.
  • the coating compositions according to the invention can be used to coat metal and graphite foils on an industrial scale in order to produce flat bipolar elements for fuel cells and redox flow batteries.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Carbon And Carbon Compounds (AREA)
  • Paints Or Removers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément plat bipolaire comprenant une couche qui contient du graphite expansé et un liant, la couche étant appliquée sur au moins une des deux surfaces principales d'un élément plat électroconducteur.
EP21730488.0A 2020-05-29 2021-05-26 Élément plat bipolaire Withdrawn EP4158709A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102020206774.0A DE102020206774A1 (de) 2020-05-29 2020-05-29 Bipolarflachelement
PCT/EP2021/064102 WO2021239840A1 (fr) 2020-05-29 2021-05-26 Élément plat bipolaire

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4158709A1 true EP4158709A1 (fr) 2023-04-05

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EP21730488.0A Withdrawn EP4158709A1 (fr) 2020-05-29 2021-05-26 Élément plat bipolaire

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US (1) US20230207837A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4158709A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2023527220A (fr)
KR (1) KR20230009955A (fr)
DE (1) DE102020206774A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021239840A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1191383A (en) 1913-05-29 1916-07-18 Condensite Company Of America Expanded graphite.
US1137373A (en) 1913-05-29 1915-04-27 Condensite Company Of America Expanded graphite and composition thereof.
JP3997660B2 (ja) * 1998-12-21 2007-10-24 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池用の金属セパレータおよびその製造方法
US20020132152A1 (en) 1999-02-09 2002-09-19 Kazuo Saito Separator for fuel cell and solid polymer type fuel cell using said separator
JP3357310B2 (ja) * 1999-02-09 2002-12-16 日本ピラー工業株式会社 燃料電池用セパレータ及びその製造方法
JP3706784B2 (ja) * 2000-01-11 2005-10-19 日本ピラー工業株式会社 燃料電池用セパレータの製造方法
DE10003927A1 (de) 2000-01-29 2001-08-02 Sgl Technik Gmbh Verfahren zum Herstellen von expandierbaren Graphiteinlagerungsverbindungen unter Verwendung von Phosphorsäuren
JP2002203574A (ja) * 2000-08-25 2002-07-19 Hitachi Chem Co Ltd 燃料電池用セパレータ及び燃料電池用セパレータを用いた燃料電池
JP2002093431A (ja) * 2000-09-11 2002-03-29 Toyo Tanso Kk 燃料電池用セパレータ
JP2003217611A (ja) * 2001-11-19 2003-07-31 Ntn Corp 燃料電池用セパレータおよび燃料電池
US6811918B2 (en) 2001-11-20 2004-11-02 General Motors Corporation Low contact resistance PEM fuel cell
US6866958B2 (en) 2002-06-05 2005-03-15 General Motors Corporation Ultra-low loadings of Au for stainless steel bipolar plates
JP2004207103A (ja) * 2002-12-26 2004-07-22 Nok Corp 燃料電池用セパレータ
US6942941B2 (en) * 2003-08-06 2005-09-13 General Motors Corporation Adhesive bonds for metalic bipolar plates
US7150918B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2006-12-19 General Motors Corporation Bilayer coating system for an electrically conductive element in a fuel cell
JP2007026828A (ja) * 2005-07-14 2007-02-01 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd 燃料電池用セパレータおよびその製造方法
US8728679B2 (en) * 2007-05-29 2014-05-20 Nanotek Instruments, Inc. Laminated exfoliated graphite composite-metal compositions for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications
US20090151847A1 (en) 2007-12-17 2009-06-18 Aruna Zhamu Process for producing laminated exfoliated graphite composite-metal compositions for fuel cell bipolar plate applications
JP2013200970A (ja) * 2012-03-23 2013-10-03 Kobe Steel Ltd 燃料電池セパレータ材、燃料電池、および燃料電池セパレータ材の製造方法
KR101815134B1 (ko) * 2015-01-02 2018-01-05 한국타이어 주식회사 연료전지 분리판 및 그 제조방법
JP2019133838A (ja) * 2018-01-31 2019-08-08 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池用セパレータ

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WO2021239840A1 (fr) 2021-12-02
DE102020206774A1 (de) 2021-12-02
JP2023527220A (ja) 2023-06-27
KR20230009955A (ko) 2023-01-17
US20230207837A1 (en) 2023-06-29

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