Methodology for the fabrication of next generation titanium carbide coated C/C composite bipolar plate

This communication reports the feasibility of the fabrication of next generation ultra light weight (density<0.4 g/cm3) and highly conductive bipolar plate using innovative combination of carbon/carbon composite (C/C composite) and conductive ceramic coating. Low density randomly oriented C/C composite was fabricated and the surface of C/C was hermitized and strengthened using a ceramic coating. The titanium carbide (TiC) coating was formed by reaction bonding on the surface of C/C substrate. The conversion of titanium (Ti) element into TiC on the surface of C/C substrate and quality of TiC coating thus formed were investigated through x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron dispersive spectroscope (EDS) and argon permeability testing. The result showed that the Ti was completely converted into TiC on the surface of C/C substrate. Further results showed that the coating was very uniform and almost crack free. The coating was found excellent in sealing the porous substrate to a very low permeability.