High performance polymeric bipolar plate based on polypropylene/graphite/graphene/nano-carbon black composites for PEM fuel cells

In the present study, the effect of the addition of electrically conductive additives such as graphite, graphene, and high structure nano-carbon black on the manufacturing of polypropylene bipolar plates was studied. Furthermore, for achieving better dispersion of graphene in the matrix, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, as a compatibilizer, was utilized. An internal mixing device was used in order to mix additives with polypropylene matrix. Additionally, molding procedure was performed via the compression molding method. In-plane electrical conductivity as well as the flexural strength of various compositions were studied. The best composition of such composites possessed the electrical conductivity of 104.63 S/cm and flexural strength of 44.28 MPa. These values are higher than those designated by the United States Department of Energy for construction of bipolar plates.