Bipolar plate comprising metal wire

Abstract

A bipolar plate as subject of the invention comprises a polymer wall ( 420 ) and a first ( 430 ) and a second ( 440 ) electrode. The first electrode is positioned at a first side of the polymer wall and the second electrode is positioned at the second side of the polymer wall. The first and the second electrode are partially embedded in the polymer wall where they make electrical contact with each other in the polymer wall. At least one of the electrodes comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, which is partially embedded in the polymer wall.

1 . A bipolar plate comprising a polymer wall which comprises a first side and a second side, said plate further comprising a first and a second electrode, said first electrode positioned at said first side of said polymer wall, said second electrode positioned at said second side of said polymer wall, said first and said second electrode being partially embedded in said polymer wall, said first and said second electrode making electrical contact with each other in said polymer wall, characterized in that at least one of said first or second electrode comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, being partially embedded in said polymer wall.  
   
   
       2 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and said second electrode comprise a metal wire knitted fabric being partially embedded in said polymer wall.  
   
   
       3 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said electrodes consist of metal wire knitted fabrics.  
   
   
       4 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and said second electrode comprise more than one layer of wire knitted fabric, only one of said layers of metal wire knitted fabric of each of said electrodes being partially embedded in said polymer wall.  
   
   
       5 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said metal wire knitted fabric has a density of less than 10%.  
   
   
       6 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said polymer wall is a polymer sheet.  
   
   
       7 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 6 , wherein said polymer sheet is an extruded polymer sheet.  
   
   
       8 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said metal wire knitted fabric is provided using Ni or Ni-alloy metal wire.  
   
   
       9 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said metal wire knitted fabric comprises metal wire having a diameter of less than 0.5 mm  
   
   
       10 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said polymer wall is provided using a polymer material selected from the group consisting of fluoro-polymers, polyolefines, or polyacetal or polysulfon.  
   
   
       11 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said polymer wall has a thickness of more than 0.5 mm, said polymer wall having a thickness of less than 5 mm.  
   
   
       12 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and said second electrode each has a thickness of more than half of the thickness of said polymer wall.  
   
   
       13 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said first electrode and/or said second comprises a catalyst.  
   
   
       14 . A bipolar plate as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and/or said second electrode comprises a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pt, Pd, Ir, Ag, Ni, Cu, WC or Au or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . A method to provide a bipolar plate, said method comprising the steps of 
 Providing a polymer wall;    Providing a first electrode comprising a metal wire knitted fabric;    Providing a second electrode comprising a metal wire knitted fabric;    Providing said first electrode at a first side of said polymer wall;    Providing said second electrode at a second side of said polymer wall;    Laminating said first and said second electrode and said polymer wall.    
   
   
       16 . The use of a bipolar plate as in  claim 1  in electrochemical reactors.  
   
   
       17 . The use of a bipolar plate as in  claim 1  for production of H 2 .