Synergistic enrichment of electrically conductive polypropylene‐graphite composites for fuel cell bipolar plates

Abstract

Summary In this research study, electrically conductive Polypropylene (PP) based composites were developed using twin‐screw extrusion technique with the objective of investigating the effects of primary and binary fillers on the overall electrical performance of the composites with relation to their mechanical properties. Thermoplastic polymers are suitable for a wide variety of applications due to their inherent characteristics, such as low density, ease of processibility, and recyclability. The addition of conductive fillers to thermoplastic resins reduces the material's resistivity and provides the ability to conduct heat and electricity, making them an excellent candidate for the manufacturing of fuel cell bipolar plates. The first part of this research study consists of studying the effect of graphite content on the electrical and mechanical properties of PP composites, whereas the second part focuses on the analysis of the effects of a multi‐filler composite system consisting of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) and Carbon Black (CB) in the graphite‐PP composites. The experimental results revealed that the maximum electrical conductivity obtained from the binary filler composites is up to 127% higher compared to that of the single filler composites. The addition of binary fillers also improved the flexural strength of the composites. This experimental study constitutes new prospects in the development of electrically conductive thermoplastic composites with sound mechanical properties for fuel cell bipolar plates.

Improved Performance of Composite Bipolar Plates for PEMFC Modified by Homogeneously Dispersed Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks Prepared by In Situ Chemical Deposition

“…This was due to the small size, high aspect ratio and low permeation threshold of carbon nanotubes. CNTs can form secondary permeation networks and also act as bridges and fill small gaps between larger primary fillers, enhancing the thermal conductivity of composite BPs [ 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”

Atmospheric plasma deposition of conductive and corrosion‐resistant composite coatings for proton exchange membrane fuel cell bipolar plates

“…Two series of composite coatings were prepared on titanium substrates from the plasma curing of liquid suspension layers containing small or large conductive fillers (Supporting Information: Table & Scheme ). Based on previous reports on composite BPs, Ketjenblack EC‐600JD CB nanoparticles from AkzoNobel were selected as small conductive fillers [ 37 ] and Micro850 natural graphite flakes from Asbury Carbons were selected as large conductive fillers. VTMOS was selected as the suspension fluid and matrix precursor due to its ability to undergo free‐radical polymerization when exposed to an AP‐DBD plasma [ 28 ] and the further hydrolysis and condensation of its Si‐methoxy groups under ambient moisture to form a highly crosslinked siloxane matrix (Supporting Information: Scheme ).…”

Current status of research on composite bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs): nanofillers and structure optimization

“…As a kind of new type of bipolar plate with increased research heat in recent years, it combines the advantages of metal bipolar plate and graphite bipolar plate: easy to be processed, 54 good corrosion resistance, and low cost, 36,55,56 but due to the problems of poor compatibility between the resin and the graphite, the electrical conductivity and the mechanical properties are difficult to be balanced, and the porosity is large. In order to solve the problem of poor performance of composite bipolar plates, 57,58 the current primary use by adding conductive llers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 59,60 graphene, 60 carbon bers, [61][62][63] carbon black, [64][65][66][67] etc. Among these conductive llers, nanollers have become the main second conductive ller due to their excellent performance and signicant effect, oen used together with graphite to enhance the performance of composite bipolar plates.…”