Volume 46, Issue 4 pp. 3766-3781
REVIEW PAPER

A review of bipolar plates materials and graphene coating degradation mechanism in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Paul C. Okonkwo

Corresponding Author

Paul C. Okonkwo

Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman

Correspondence

Paul C. Okonkwo, Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman.

Email: [email protected]

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Wilfred Emori

Wilfred Emori

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, P. R. China

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Paul C. Uzoma

Paul C. Uzoma

Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Federal University of Technology - Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria

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Ibrahim B. Mansir

Ibrahim B. Mansir

Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, AlKharj, Saudi Arabia

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Ahmed Bahgat Radwan

Ahmed Bahgat Radwan

Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

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Oladeji O. Ige

Oladeji O. Ige

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria

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Aboubakr M. Abdullah

Aboubakr M. Abdullah

Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

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First published: 02 November 2021
Citations: 30

Summary

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have the perception to strongly reduce global emissions through an environmentally friendly perspective. Graphene has drawn global attention and has positioned itself as a potential material for bipolar plates application. This study reviews the application of graphene and summarizes the degradation of graphene coating that has become a significant issue in the improvement of PEMFC's performance. In the analysis, the degradation and its dissolution processes are presented. The need to improve the material selection focused mitigation on fabrication defects that act as initiation sites for graphene coating degradation is recommended. Finally, this review through recommendation endeavors to prevent graphene coating degradation and reduces high costs associated with the replacement of bipolar plates in the PEMFCs.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.