Berlin 2024 – scientific programme

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MM: Fachverband Metall- und Materialphysik

MM 29: Poster II

MM 29.16: Poster

Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 17:00–19:00, Poster B

Composite Bipolar Plates for PEM Electrolysis — •Lindsay Lohmann, Maria Gaudig, and Ralf Wehrspohn — Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Physics, Group μMD, Heinrich-Damerow-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany

Water splitting by PEM electrolysis (PEM: Proton Exchange Membrane) is a possible variant for the production of sustainable "green" hydrogen, however this process is currently too expensive and therefore uneconomical. Thereby, almost 50 % of the cost of the electrolysis cell and about 25 % of the total system costs are caused by one single component: the bipolar plate (BPP). Due to the electrochemical conditions prevailing in the fuel cell, only a few materials can be considered for the BPP. One of these materials is titanium. As this material is expensive in its pure form, titanium-polymer composites (with a high polymer content) are being researched as a possible alternative. We have already shown that composites with a titanium mass content of 80 % were able to meet the criteria (specified by the US Department of Energy) in the areas of electrical conductivity and mechanical stability. With a thin titanium coating, a better result can also be achieved in electrochemical corrosion. While such a BPP has been successfully incorporated into a PEM electrolysis cell and has been able to provide good electrolysis performance for short periods of time, the desired long-term stability has not yet been achieved. Further research and development in coating and surface roughness is therefore necessary. In this contribution we will present our current research results.

Keywords: Bipolar plates; Electrolysis; Hydrogen; Composite; Sustainability