Abstract
Graphite/polymer composites have high corrosion resistance, low contact resistance and low fabrication cost but low cell efficiency and mechanical strength. This study examined the electrical and mechanical properties of graphite/polypropylene composite bipolar plates. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used to improve the electrical properties of the graphite/PP composites. Although the electrical properties increased when excess conducting filler was added to the composite, the mechanical strength decreased significantly. 304 stainless steel (304 SS) plates with different thicknesses were used as the support material of a graphite/PP composite bipolar plate. The 304 SS-supported graphite/PP composite bipolar plate had an optimum CNTs/graphite/PP composite composition of 1.2, 83 and 17 wt.%, respectively. The flexural strength of the 304 SS-supported graphite/PP composites increased from 35 to 58 MPa with increasing 304 SS thickness from 0.5 to 1 mm. The power density of the graphite bipolar plate and 304 SS-supported graphite/PP composite bipolar plate were 968 and 877 mW cm-2, respectively. The 304 SS complemented the mechanical strength of the graphite/PP composite bipolar plate as well as the cell efficiency.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7621-7627 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 Jul |
Keywords
- 304 Stainless steel
- Bipolar plate
- Carbon nanotube (CNTs)
- Composite
- Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Fuel Technology
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
