High performance polymeric bipolar plate based on polypropylene/graphite/grapheneano-carbon black composites for PEM fuel cells

摘要

In the present study, the effect of the addition of electrically conductive additives such as graphite, graphene, and high structure nano-carbon black on the manufacturing of polypropylene bipolar plates was studied. Furthermore, for achieving better dispersion of graphene in the matrix, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, as a compatibilizer, was utilized. An internal mixing device was used in order to mix additives with polypropylene matrix. Additionally, molding procedure was performed via the compression molding method. In-plane electrical conductivity as well as the flexural strength of various compositions were studied. The best composition of such composites possessed the electrical conductivity of 104.63 S/cm and flexural strength of 44.28 MPa. These values are higher than those designated by the United States Department of Energy for construction of bipolar plates. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.