Evaluation of silver-coated stainless steel bipolar plates for fuel cell applications

► In this study, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD / CAM) technology were applied to develop and produce stainless steel bipolar plates for DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell). ► Effect of surface modification on the cell performance of DMFC was investigated. Surface modifications of the stainless steel bipolar plates were made by the electroless plating method. ► A DMFC consisting of silver coated stainless steel as anode and uncoated stainless steel as cathode was assembled and evaluated. ► The methanol crossover rate (Rc) of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) was decreased by about 52.8%, the efficiency (Ef) of DMFC increased about 7.1% and amounts of methanol electro-oxidation at the cathode side (Mco) were decreased by about 28.6%, as compared to uncoated anode polar plates. These measurements were determined by the transient current and mathematical analysis.