Highly filled graphite/graphene/carbon nanotube in polybenzoxazine composites for bipolar plate in PEMFC

Abstract

This research aims to develop polybenzoxazine (PBA) based composites suitable for bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). PBA composites filled with carbon derivatives i.e. graphite, graphene, and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared. The effects of CNT contents from 0–2 wt% at an expense of graphite with constant content of graphene and benzoxazine on properties of the obtained composites were investigated. It was found that the composite with 2 wt% of CNTs exhibited through-plane thermal conductivity as high as 21.3 W/mK which is 44 times higher than that of the composite without CNTs. Also, this composite showed electrical conductivity of 364 S/cm, Flexural Strength of 41.5 MPa and Modulus 49.7 GPa, respectively. These values meet the requirements suggested by the Department of Energy, USA and confirm that these composites are great candidates as bipolar plates for PEMFCs. © 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC