Preparation of Polymer Composite Bipolar Plate with Different Multi-Filler for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

Abstract

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is an alternative energy system that has been verified with great potential for high power density, durability and cost effectiveness. Since the bipolar plate is the key component in PEMFC, the component must operate with multifunction and have a balance of properties, essentially well in both electrical and mechanical properties. At present, many different materials have been tested to be applied for bipolar plate in order to fulfill the balance in each property. In this work, the different material is tested and observed. Polypropylene (PP) is used as a binder material, Graphite (Gr) is used as a main filler and Carbon Black (CB), Iron (Fe) and Nickel (Ni) as the second filler. This composite is produced through compression molding and the effect of different filler material loading on the properties such as electrical conductivity, flexural strength, 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 Ni, the result showed the decreasing of electrical conductivity as the loading of Ni has been increased. The targeted value also achieved for some certain degree of filler loading.