Surface modification of multiwall carbon nanotubes and its effect on mechanical and through‐plane electrical resistivity of PEMFC bipolar plate nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, we showed how the functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by nitric acid (HNO3) and their predispersion into poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) improved the through‐plane electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of co‐continuous morphology polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/carbon black (CB)/graphite (GR)/MWCNT nanocomposites. First, when MWCNT were functionalized with HNO3 then premixed with PBT, they showed no aggregations inside the PBT matrix due to their improved interfacial interactions and chemical compatibility with the PBT matrix. Then, when PBT/(HNO3‐functionalized MWCNT) mixture was added in small quantities to (PET/PVDF)/(CB/GR) composites, it decreased significantly their through‐plane resistivity and enhanced their impact and flexural properties. Its synergistic effect also led to the best proton exchange membrane fuel cell bipolar plate prototypes (smoother surface, without any cracks).