Technical evaluation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance – A review of the effects of bipolar plates coating

This work critically reviews recent developments in material characteristics and selection for the coating of bare metals used in the manufacture of bipolar plates (BPs) for PEM fuel cells. Several material types are considered in this work to provide the widest coverage of both established and emerging techniques. This includes discussion of defects observed in the coated material that emerged after the use of appropriate techniques to examine the coated surface after treatment. The work also provides a survey of the advances in the techniques used to coat the bare metal BPs.