Exploring the potential of polyethylene/epoxy/graphite composite as bipolar plate material for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Alo, Oluwaseun Ayotunde; Otunniyi, Iyiola Olatunji; Pienaar, HCvZ

doi:10.1063/5.0028258

Cited by 5 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Co-continuity of PP/EP and HDPE/EP blend structure, which can be attributed to the close-to-symmetric composition of the blends, has been reported in previous studies. 23,25 Also, the interface between the two component polymers is distinct in HDPE/EP blend than in PP/EP blend, which indicates a poor interfacial adhesion in HDPE/EP blend compared to PP/EP blend.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…29 Details of compounding procedure for the composites have been described elsewhere. 23,25 Specimens for characterizations, with generic designation M/EP/xSG, where M = polyolefin (i.e., PP or HDPE), EP = epoxy, and x = weight percent of SG (Table 1), were fabricated by compression molding at 200 o C and 2 tonnes for 10 min. The processes involved in the fabrication of the composite samples are summarized in Figure 1.…”

Section: Preparation Of Compositesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…26,27 This can have significant influence on the behavior of their blend systems and cause blends of these polyolefins with the same polymer to exhibit considerably different properties. In our previous studies, 23,25,28 it was found that graphite-filled epoxy (PP/EP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE/EP) blends (polyolefin: epoxy = 55:45) exhibited higher in-plane and through-plane electrical conductivities than several filled single polymers reported in the literature. Higher electrical performance of PP/EP and HDPE/EP composites was attributed to co-continuous structure of the blends, which favored concentration of filler in the epoxy, leading to more conducting pathways within the composites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potential of filled blends of polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) with epoxy or novolac resin to achieve higher electrical conductivities than filled single polymers at the same filler loadings has been reported. 17,[23][24][25] Although, the unit structures in PP and PE are similar, they exhibit different properties such as degree of crystallinity, surface tension, and viscosity. 26,27 This can have significant influence on the behavior of their blend systems and cause blends of these polyolefins with the same polymer to exhibit considerably different properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative study of flexural and physical properties of graphite-filled immiscible polypropylene/epoxy and high-density polyethylene/epoxy blends

Alo

Otunniyi

2021

Polymers and Polymer Composites

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Polypropylene/epoxy/synthetic graphite (PP/EP/SG) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE/EP/SG) composites were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. The immiscibility of the polyolefins with epoxy was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that HDPE/EP blend exhibits inferior interfacial adhesion between the component polymers compared to PP/EP blend. Also, the effect of SG content on flexural properties, density, moldability, water absorption, and porosity of the PP/EP/SG and HDPE/EP/SG composites was investigated. For both PP/EP/SG and HDPE/EP/SG composites, flexural modulus, density, and porosity increased with increase in SG content. For PP/EP/SG composites, the water absorption decreased from 0.154% at 30 wt% SG to 0.072% at 70 wt% SG. Further increase in SG content to 80 wt% caused an increase in water absorption. On the other hand, water absorption for HDPE/EP/SG increased with SG content all through. At the same filler loadings, PP/EP/SG composites showed lower density and porosity and performed better in terms of flexural modulus and water absorption compared to HDPE/EP/SG composites.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Preparation Of Compositesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Comparative study of flexural and physical properties of graphite-filled immiscible polypropylene/epoxy and high-density polyethylene/epoxy blends

Alo

Otunniyi

2021

Polymers and Polymer Composites

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“…Thermal conductivity greater than 10 Wm −1 K −1 , electrical conductivity higher than 50 Scm −1 and flexural strength greater than 25 MPa were achieved. The PP‐based FFPs were optimized and their weight in comparison to similar metallic plates 80% and, in contrast to graphite plates 40% were reduced 106 …”

Section: Carbon Polymer Matrixmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymer based flow field plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and the scope of additive manufacturing: A techno‐economic review

Madheswaran

Jayakumar

Velu

et al. 2022

Intl J of Energy Research

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Summary Flow field plate (FFP) is an integral polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack component that has multifunctional applications, such as facilitation of the reactant flow, transfer current from cell‐to‐cell, heat dissipation and product water removal. The conventional FFPs are made of graphite or metals, with their limitations, such as low corrosion resistance, heavyweight, high‐cost and complex manufacturability, which hinders the commercialization of PEMFCs. On the contrary, polymer composites are lightweight and low‐cost materials with good anti‐corrosion attributes. It is also evident that polymer composites are the primary choice of material in a wide range of additive manufacturing (AM) processes, given their unique attributes such as design freedom, the capability to fabricate intricate flow channel geometry and minimize material wastage. However, incorporating the AM process for FFP design involves substantial challenges and consequently the present paper performs a comprehensive review on the diverse literature limited to polymer composite FFPs developed in recent years (2011–2021) with an intention of providing a holistic insight on development of cost‐effective, high‐strength‐weight FFPs. The review also provides the prospectus of applying AM technology for fabricating polymer‐based composites for FFP applications. Finally, a holistic meta‐analysis is performed on strength and weakness of using polymer composite FFP, and the outlook is summarized.

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A review on key factors influencing the electrical conductivity of proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite bipolar plates

Shojaei,

Rostami‐Tapeh‐Esmaeil,

Mighri

2024

Polymers for Advanced Techs

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Fuel cells are gaining increasing importance as a promising alternative to traditional energy sources, primarily due to their exceptional efficiency and environmental advantages. The electrical performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) largely depends on the effectiveness of proton and electron transport within the cell components. A critical factor impacting this efficiency is the electrical conductivity of polymer‐based bipolar plates (BPPs), which play a fundamental role as current collectors. BPPs in PEMFCs can be made from various materials including coated metallic materials, graphitic materials, and polymer composites. This review exclusively concentrates on polymer composite BPPs. Enhancing the overall cell performance is achievable through the integration of electrically conductive additives into the polymer matrix of these plates. Graphite (GR), carbon black (CB), carbon fibers (CF), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and graphene (Gr) all emerge as highly promising functional materials capable of substantially elevating BPPs performance. This study, among its various objectives, delves into the synergistic effects of these electrically conductive additives and their capacity to enhance the electrical conductivity within polymeric matrices. Furthermore, this review article thoroughly explores the influence of the polymeric matrix, encompassing co‐continuous morphology and processing conditions. In essence, it focuses on the improvement of BPPs electrical conductivity through innovative designs of their polymer‐based composites and nanocomposites and the particular selection of the electrically conductive fillers. The insights derived from this study significantly contribute to a more profound understanding of how to effectively harness the potential of this vital PEMFC component.

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Exploring the potential of polyethylene/epoxy/graphite composite as bipolar plate material for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Comparative study of flexural and physical properties of graphite-filled immiscible polypropylene/epoxy and high-density polyethylene/epoxy blends

Comparative study of flexural and physical properties of graphite-filled immiscible polypropylene/epoxy and high-density polyethylene/epoxy blends

Polymer based flow field plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and the scope of additive manufacturing: A techno‐economic review

A review on key factors influencing the electrical conductivity of proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite bipolar plates

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