A flow battery includes an electrochemical cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The separator layer is formed of a polymer that has a polymer backbone with cyclic groups that are free of unsaturated nitrogen and one or more polar groups bonded between the cyclic groups.

The present invention relates to new compositions for bipolar plates and processes for manufacturing said compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composition, comprising the following steps:—mixing a thermoplastic polymer in the molten state with a first conductive filler in order to obtain a conductive thermoplastic polymer,—grinding said conductive thermoplastic polymer in order to reduce it to powder;—mixing the conductive thermoplastic polymer powder with a second conductive filler.”

The present invention relates to new compositions for bipolar plates and processes for manufacturing said compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composition, comprising the following steps:—mixing a thermoplastic polymer in the molten state with a first conductive filler in order to obtain a conductive thermoplastic polymer,—grinding said conductive thermoplastic polymer in order to reduce it to powder;—mixing the conductive thermoplastic polymer powder with a second conductive filler.”

Provided is a hydroxide ion-conductive separator including a porous substrate and a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound filling pores of the porous substrate, wherein the LDH-like compound is a hydroxide and/or an oxide with a layered crystal structure, containing: Mg; and one or more elements, which include at least Ti, selected from the group consisting of Ti, Y, and Al.

A fuel cell assembly with at least one PEM fuel cell for generating electrical energy from reactant gases includes at least one membrane/electrode having a membrane coated with platinum electrodes and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer, or having a membrane and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer coated with a platinum electrode, and also includes bipolar plates that lie against the gas diffusion layers and through which, during operation, a coolant flows, wherein at least one of the platinum electrodes has a smaller area than the gas diffusion layer, where the gas diffusion layer protrudes beyond the platinum electrode for a part of an edge region of the membrane/electrode unit, so that the formation of an electrochemical potential in this part of the edge region of the membrane/electrode unit is prevented in order to prevent damage to the membrane.

A fuel cell assembly with at least one PEM fuel cell for generating electrical energy from reactant gases includes at least one membrane/electrode having a membrane coated with platinum electrodes and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer, or having a membrane and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer coated with a platinum electrode, and also includes bipolar plates that lie against the gas diffusion layers and through which, during operation, a coolant flows, wherein at least one of the platinum electrodes has a smaller area than the gas diffusion layer, where the gas diffusion layer protrudes beyond the platinum electrode for a part of an edge region of the membrane/electrode unit, so that the formation of an electrochemical potential in this part of the edge region of the membrane/electrode unit is prevented in order to prevent damage to the membrane.

For continuously producing a band-shaped plate material from plastic filled with electrically conductive particles, which can be sub-divided into bipolar separator plates or blanks for bipolar separator plates, the particles and the plastic are compounded into a compound, the compound is ground into a powder, the powder is spread out into a preform, and the preform is, preferably isobarically, hot-pressed between a lower belt and an upper belt of a double belt press into a plate material.

For continuously producing a band-shaped plate material from plastic filled with electrically conductive particles, which can be sub-divided into bipolar separator plates or blanks for bipolar separator plates, the particles and the plastic are compounded into a compound, the compound is ground into a powder, the powder is spread out into a preform, and the preform is, preferably isobarically, hot-pressed between a lower belt and an upper belt of a double belt press into a plate material.

A fuel cell separator obtained by: roughening the surface of a compact formed by molding a composition containing graphite powder, an epoxy resin, and a phenol resin; treating the compact with infrared laser irradiation; and then performing a hydrophilizing treatment, wherein a fuel cell separator is provided having the characteristics that (1) the initial static contact angle is no greater than 20°, and (2) after manufacture, the static contact angle after being stored in atmospheric air for 3000 hours is no greater than 30°. This fuel cell separator has high hydrophilicity, allowing water generated during the electrical generation of the fuel cell to be easily discharged, and the hydrophilicity is maintained over a long period of time.

A fuel cell separator obtained by: roughening the surface of a compact formed by molding a composition containing graphite powder, an epoxy resin, and a phenol resin; treating the compact with infrared laser irradiation; and then performing a hydrophilizing treatment, wherein a fuel cell separator is provided having the characteristics that (1) the initial static contact angle is no greater than 20°, and (2) after manufacture, the static contact angle after being stored in atmospheric air for 3000 hours is no greater than 30°. This fuel cell separator has high hydrophilicity, allowing water generated during the electrical generation of the fuel cell to be easily discharged, and the hydrophilicity is maintained over a long period of time.