IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,709,145
Granted Patent B2
US 7,709,145 · App. 10/987,609 · Granted May 4, 2010

Hydrophilic surface modification of bipolar plate

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,709,145
App. No.
10/987,609
Granted
May 4, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bipolar plate having hydrophilic surfaces is disclosed. The bipolar plate includes multiple surfaces including channels having channel surfaces. A hydrophilic coating is provided on the surfaces to enhance the water management capabilties of a fuel cell.

Claims (24)

1. A product comprising:

a bipolar plate comprising:

a plurality of channels having channel surfaces;

a plurality of lands having land surfaces separating said plurality of channels;

a layer of a conductive coating formed on said land surfaces; and

a hydrophilic coating formed on said channel surfaces and not on the land surfaces.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic coating comprises at least one of a silicon dioxide coating or a titanium oxide coating.

3. The product of claim 2 wherein said hydrophilic coating comprises a silicon dioxide coating and a titanium oxide coating.

4. The product of claim 2 wherein said hydrophilic coating comprises a silicon dioxide coating.

5. The product of claim 1 wherein said conductive coating comprises gold.

6. The product of claim 1 wherein said conductive coating comprises a conductive polymeric carbon coating.

7. The product of claim 1 further comprising a gas diffusion medium underlying the bipolar plate and an electrode underlying the gas diffusion media.

8. The product of claim 1 further comprising a gas diffusion medium underlying the bipolar plate and a membrane electrode assembly underlying the gas diffusion medium.

9. A method comprising:

providing hydrophilic surfaces on a bipolar plate, comprising:

providing a bipolar plate comprising a plurality of channels having channel surfaces and a plurality of lands having land surfaces separating said plurality of channels;

forming a layer of a conductive coating on said land surfaces; and

forming a hydrophilic coating on said channel surfaces and not on the land surfaces.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said hydrophilic coating comprises at least one of a silicon dioxide coating or a titanium oxide coating.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said conductive coating comprises gold.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said conductive coating comprises a conductive polymeric coating.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said hydrophilic coating is formed on said channel surfaces using a technique comprising at least one of chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma polymerization or electrochemical methods.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing a gas diffusion media underlying the bipolar plate and an electrode underlying the gas diffusion media.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said hydrophilic coating comprises a silicon dioxide coating.