Fluorinated ethylene–propylene/graphite composites reinforced with silicon carbide for the bipolar plates of fuel cells. (19th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Kwang Sang; Lee, Moon Hee; Woo, Jong Seok; Kim, Byung Choon; Kim, Sang Ha; Jeong, Euigyung; Park, Soo-Young
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 4090
• Page End: 4099
• Publication Date: 2022-01-19
• Subjects: Fluorinated ethylene–propylene -- Graphite flakes -- Graphite nanoplates -- Silicon carbide -- Compression molding -- Bipolar plate; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.11.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Bipolar plates (BPs) for fuel cell applications must meet minimum conductivity requirements while maintaining light weight and sufficient mechanical strength to be thinned and easily fabricated. Here, we prepare BPs comprising fluorinated ethylene–propylene (FEP), graphite flakes (GFs), graphite nanoplates (GnPs), and silicon carbide (SiC) particles for fuel cell applications. SiC particles decorated on large GFs and GnPs improve the flexural strength of the composites relative to the corresponding composites without SiC, resulting in increases of ∼24% and ∼130%, respectively. The improved mechanical properties of the FEP/GnP/SiC and FEP/GF/SiC composites are due to the uniform dispersion of SiC particles and strong chemical bonding between GF (or GnP) and SiC particles in the FEP matrix. Incorporating SiC particles into the FEP/GnP (or GF) composite plate provides a robust, scalable strategy for realizing high-performance, high-temperature fuel cell BPs. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Composite BPs must provide thermal/electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. We prepared two composite BPs with graphite flakes or nanoplates for fuel cells. We employed molten salt synthesis to decorate the graphite particles with SiC. SiC particles synergistically enhanced the flexural strength of the composites.