Durability testing of conductive coatings on bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
质子交换膜燃料电池双极板导电涂层耐久性测试

摘要

质子交换膜燃料电池双极板的导电涂层对电池高效与稳定运行至关重要，其耐久性直接影响寿命与性能。本研究通过构建系统测试方法，从电化学腐蚀、接触电阻变化、涂层剥落及形貌演变等维度展开评价，并结合加速老化实验与材料表征揭示失效机制。结果显示，在高湿和循环负载条件下，涂层易出现接触电阻升高和局部剥离，但优化涂层组成与工艺能显著提升稳定性。研究为双极板导电涂层的耐久性验证与改进提供了参考，对燃料电池产业化具有重要意义。

Abstract

The conductive coating on the bipolar plate of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is crucial for the efficient and stable operation of the cell, and its durability directly affects the cell's lifespan and performance. In this study, a systematic testing method was established to evaluate the coating from multiple dimensions, including electrochemical corrosion, contact resistance variation, coating peeling, and morphological evolution. Combined with accelerated aging experiments and material characterization, the failure mechanism of the coating was revealed. The results show that under high-humidity and cyclic load conditions, the coating is prone to increased contact resistance and local peeling; however, optimizing the coating composition and preparation process can significantly improve its stability. This study provides a reference for the durability verification and improvement of conductive coatings on bipolar plates, and is of great significance for the industrialization of fuel cells.