Effect of Acid‐ and Ultraviolet/Ozonolysis‐Treated MWCNTs on the Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites as Bipolar Plate Applications

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a huge potential as conductive fillers in conductive polymer composites (CPCs), particularly for bipolar plate applications. These composites are prepared using singlefiller and multifiller reinforced multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that have undergone a chemical functionalization process. The electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of these composites are determined and compared between the different functionalization processes. The results show that UV/O3-treated functionalization is capable of introducing carboxylic functional groups on CNTs. Acid-treated CNT composites give low electrical conductivity, compared with UV/O3-treated and As-produced CNTs. The in- and through-plane electrical conductivities and flexural strength of multifiller EP/G/MWCNTs (As-produced and UV/O3-treated) achieved the US Department of Energy targets. Acid-treated CNT composites affect the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. These data indicate that the nanocomposites developed in this work may be alternative attributers of bipolar plate requirements.

Impact of carbon nanotubes addition on electrical, thermal, morphological, and tensile properties of poly (ethylene terephthalate)

“…In addition, the attachment of functional groups on CNTs walls reduces electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites. Several authors reported observation of low composites conductivities because of acid treatment [23][24][25]. They ascribed this performance to the formation of functional groups and defects sites on the surface of the A-MWCNTs after modification process using acid treatment.…”

Fabrication of Porous Recycled HDPE Biocomposites Foam: Effect of Rice Husk Filler Contents and Surface Treatments on the Mechanical Properties

“…This result indicates that instead of using harsh chemical treatments (like acid), UV/O 3 can be used to improve the stiffness of this composite foam by improving the interlocking of the fibre-matrix interface. Some other observations in the previous studies also prove the reliability of UV/O 3 as a surface treatment to enhance the filler-matrix adhesion of composite [26,27]. Moreover, this method is cheap and environmentally friendly.…”

“…In the chamber, RH was exposed to 10 L/min ozone flow rate for 30 min. All parameters in this study were based on previous studies [26] designated from the United States Patent (Wydeven), Patent No: US 6,555,835 B1 [33]. Initially, the sample was placed in a conical flask, which had ozone gas input and output flow channels, and in a reaction chamber with UV lamps (254 nm).…”

“…The surface treatment of RH by using UV/O 3 surface treatment has been introduced several years ago. This method is cheaper and environmentally friendly compared with other chemical treatments [26][27][28]. Our previous study has demonstrated that this new alternative treatment is proven to have a great rice husk (RH) surface to improve the adhesion between the hydrophilic RH fibre and the hydrophobic rHDPE polymer matrix [18].…”

“…This treatment also causes the removal of wax and degradation of lignin without disrupting the hemicellulose and cellulose of the fibre. Ozonolysis is cheap and reduces the damage to the natural environment [26].…”