Alumina–Carbon Nanofibers Nanocomposites Obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates

Abstract

There is an increasing demand of multifunctional materials for a wide variety of technological developments. Bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells are an example of complex functionality components that must show among other properties high mechanical strength, electrical, and thermal conductivity. The present research explored the possibility of using alumina–carbon nanofibers (CNFs) nanocomposites for this purpose. In this study, it was studied for the first time the whole range of powder compositions in this system. Homogeneous powders mixtures were prepared and subsequently sintered by spark plasma sintering. The materials obtained were thoroughly characterized and compared in terms of properties required to be used as bipolar plates. The control on material microstructure and composition allows designing materials where mechanical or electrical performances are enhanced. A 50/50 vol.% alumina–CNFs composite appears to be a very promising material for this kind of application.

Effect of graphene and CNFs addition on the mechanical and electrical properties of dense alumina-toughened zirconia composites

“…The addition of GO increased slightly the fracture toughness value to 4.5 MPa•m fƒ2 at f500 ºC and achieved a similar value at f400 ºC. The improvement of fracture toughness was more significant (nearly 50%) in Al2O3−graphene composite [29], probably due to the fact that crack bridging reinforcing mechanism is more significant in Al2O3 than in ZrO2 matrix, since the grain growth by SPS is much lower [36]. Respect to CNFs addition, the fracture toughness behaviour of the composite is similar.…”

Alumina Ceramic Nanofibers: An Overview of the Spinning Gel Preparation, Manufacturing Process, and Application

“…In addition to lithium-ion battery separators, alumina nanofibers can also be used in fuel cell composite proton exchange membranes. Borrell et al [ 120 ] prepared alumina–carbon nanofiber nanocomposites using spark plasma sintering technology, which can be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cell bipolar plates. Compared with graphite bipolar plates, the mechanical strength of this dense ceramic–CNF nanocomposite material was three times higher, and the composite material reduced the thickness of the bipolar plate and thus the size of the fuel cell stack.…”

Antibacterial properties of nano silver finish cellulose fabric

“…Polymers used for this purpose are vinyl ester [9,30], epoxy [10,25,26], polypropylene [11,22,27], phenolic resin [12,29], polyvinylidene fluoride [13,28], polyphenylene sulfide [14], polymethyl methacrylate, polyurethane [15], etc. Also, many metals are used as bipolar plates such as stainless steel [16,17], silver [18], gold, lead, aluminum [19,31], titanium [20], and chromium [21,24]. Because of their enhanced strength, bipolar plates are prepared from composites of metal and graphite such as the pairs of stainless steel-graphite [22,23] and chromium-carbon [24].…”