Impact of metallic bipolar plates on cold-start behaviors of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs)

► We studied cold-start behaviors of metallic and graphite BP based PEFCs. ► Use of metallic BP is beneficial to improve PEFC cold-start performance. ► Ice growth rate in the metallic BP is prevented and effectively suppressed. ► Graphite based fuel cell failed to start up because of its large thermal mass. ► Cold-start situation is worsened by the presence of coolant in the cooling channels.