pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S06 - Polymer Nanocomposites
Oral Presentation
 
 

Development of Carbon Black and Graphite Filled Polymer Blend for Application in Bipolar Plate for Fuel Cells

Alo Oluwaseun Ayotunde (1)*, Otunniyi Iyiola Olatunji (2), Pienaar HCvZ (3), Sadiku Emmanuel Rotimi (4)

(1) Mechanical Engineering Department, Vaal University of Technology - Gauteng - SouthAfrica, (2) Metallurgical Engineering Department, Vaal University of Technology - Gauteng - SouthAfrica, (3) Centre for Alternative Energy, Vaal University of Technology - Gauteng - SouthAfrica, (4) Tshwane University of Technology - Gauteng - SouthAfrica

High electrical conductivity and good corrosion resistance are critical requirements for bipolar plates (BPs) used in fuel cells. Carbon-polymer composites (CPCs) typically have good corrosion resistance but there is usually a need to develop suitable material compositions with maximized electrical conductive behaviour in order to meet the conductivity requirement for BP application. In this study, CPCs based on polyethylene (PE)/epoxy blend filled with graphite (as main filler) and highly conductive carbon black (CB) minor filler were produced. PE/epoxy blend was used as the matrix due to its potential to form a co-continuous structure, which can enhance the formation of conductive pathways within the composites. It was found that for the PE/epoxy/graphite/CB composite with 80 wt% total filler content, in-plane conductivity of 102.46 Scm-1 and through-plane conductivity of 8.52 Scm-1 were achieved, compared to values of 72.96 Scm-1 and 4.12 Scm-1, respectively, for the PE/epoxy/80 wt% graphite composite with no CB filler. The highest flexural strength obtained was 30.17 MPa at 60 wt% total filler content and increase in filler content beyond 60 wt% caused a decrease in the flexural strength. The high in-plane conductivity obtained could be attributed to bridging of the spaces between the larger graphite particles by the nano-sized CB particles as well as concentration of the fillers in one of the polymer phases. Combination of highly conductive CB and graphite with immiscible blend of PE and epoxy has the potential to achieve CPCs with high electrical conductivity for BP application.