Work

Bonded Bipolar Plate-Graphite Felt Components for Redox Flow Batteries Manufactured via Thermal Fusion by Electro-Welding

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Bipolar plates and graphite felt electrodes were thermally fused to one single component via a newly developed electro-welding process. A dropwise arrangement of the polymeric binder led to mechanically stable bonding and was documented by X-ray micro-computed tomography. Electrical conductivity of the fused components was achieved without any conductive filler and electro-welded samples show lower resistance values than unbonded ones at the same graphite felt electrode compression of 5% in ex situ electrical conductivity measurements. Applicability was demonstrated in situ in a 2-cell vanadium redox flow battery stack operated at a graphite felt electrode compression rate of 5% only. Obtained energy efficiencies of the battery are at least equal or even higher compared to state of the art vanadium redox flow battery with unbonded components at 20% graphite felt electrode compression. Composite components will simplify stack assembly and their increased electrode porosity during operation is expected to reduce pressure drop and to increase overall system efficiency.

Source: Journal of The Electrochemical Society

DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ad6d96

Authors: Wiebke Germer, Barbara Satola, Leif-Arvid Schillert, Gaurav Gupta, Lisa M. Uhlig, Nambi Krishnan N.

Institutions: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), Energy and Resources Institute, Department of Science and Technology, India Habitat Centre

Language: English

Topic: Advanced battery technologies research

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,855