Effect of Different Filler Materials in the Development of Bipolar Plate Composite for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

Abstract:

In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), bipolar plate is considered one of the most important components. Bipolar plate has a multi-functional in the fuel cell stack. The materials used in producing bipolar plate are greatly affecting its final properties. Through this study, the properties of bipolar plate composite will be observed. The based composition of this composite is 80% for multi-filler material and 20% binder material. Polypropylene (PP) will be used as binder material and for filler materials, Graphite (Gr) is the main filler and for the second filler materials its will vary with the usage of Carbon Black (CB), Iron (Fe), and Aluminum (Al) powder. The formation of this composite is produced through compression molding. The effect of different filler material loading on the properties such as electrical conductivity, bulk density and shore hardness are observed. The result showed the increasing of electrical conductivity as the increased the CB and Fe loading. But for Al, the result showed the decreasing of electrical conductivity as the loading of Al has been increased. Meanwhile the usage of CB clearly shown an improvement in electrical conductivity and able to meet the DOE target properties for development of PEMFC bipolar plate.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 315)
• Pages: 226-230
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.315.226
• Online since: April 2013
• Authors: Mohd Shakir Ahmad, Mohd Zulkefli Selamat, Mohd Ahadlin bin Daud, Indera Kasuma Mohamad Yunus, Mohd Syafiq Azman
• Keywords: Carbon Black (CB), Composite Bipolar Plate, Electrical Conductivity, Graphite, Metal Filler, PEMFC

References

[1] M.C. L de Oliveira, Gerhard Ett, Renato A. Antunes, Materials Selection for Bipolar Plate for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using the Ashby Approach, Journal of Power Sources (2012), in press.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.01.104

[2] M.Z. Selamat, J. Sahari, N. Muhamad, A. Muchtar, The Effects of Thickness Reduction and Particle Sizes on The Properties Graphite – Polypropylene Composite, International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (IJMME), Vol. 6 (2011).

[3] Mohd Zulkefli Selamat, Jaafar Sahari, Norhamidi Muhamad, Andanastuti Muchtar, Simultaneous Optimization for Multiple Responses on Compression Moulding Parameters of Composite Graphite-Polypropylene Using Taguchi Method, Key Engineering Materials, Vols. 471-472 (2011).

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.471-472.361

[4] JoongHee Lee, Yun Ki Jang, Chang Eui Hong, Nam Hoon Kim, Peng Li, Hong Ki Lee, Effect Of Carbon Filler On Properties Of Polymer Composite Bipolar Plates Of Fuel Cells, Journal Of Power Sources 193, (2009).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.04.029

[5] Renato A. Antunes, Mara C.L. de Oliveira, Gerhard Ett, VolkmarEtt, Carbon Materials in Composite Bipolar Plates for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review Of The Main Challenges To Improve Electrical Performance, Journal Of Power Sources 196, (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.12.041

[6] R.B. Mathur, S.R. Dhakate, D.K. Gupta, T.L. Dhami, R.K. Aggarwal, Effect Of Different Carbon Fillers On The Properties Of Graphite Composite Bipolar Plate, Journal Of Materials Processing Technology, 203, (2008).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2007.10.044

[7] RadwanDweiri, JaafarSahari, Electrical Properties Of Carbon Based Polypropylene Composites For Bipolar Plates In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), Journal Of Power Sources, 171, (2007).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.05.106

[8] RungsimaYeetsorn, Micheal W. Powler, Costas Tzoganakis, A Review of Thermoplastic Composites for Bipolar Plate Materials in PEM Fuel Cells.