Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

A bipolar plate is an important component in a fuel cell in the sense of cost and weight. This study aimed at developing highly conductive, lightweight, and low cost bipolar plates. Hybrid carbons filled poly(phenylene sulfide)(PPS) composite bipolar plates were prepared by using the compression mol...

A bipolar plate is an important component in a fuel cell in the sense of cost and weight. This study aimed at developing highly conductive, lightweight, and low cost bipolar plates. Hybrid carbons filled poly(phenylene sulfide)(PPS) composite bipolar plates were prepared by using the compression molding technique. Various types and amounts of conducting carbon fillers such as graphite, carbon black, carbon fibers, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were adopted for the composites. Electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the composites were measured in order to investigate effects of each components of fillers. When the graphite is only used as a conducting filler, the electrical conductivity of the composites increases with increasing the content, but the flexural strength decreases dramatically. However, for CNTs and carbon fibers, the flexural strength initially increases and then decreases with increasing the amount of the conducting fillers. The amount of graphite corresponding to the peak of flexural strength was moved to lower content with increasing the amount of CNTs or carbon fiber. When hybrid conducting fillers such as fibrous and particulate fillers were used, the synergy effect in mechanical and electrical properties was observed.