Recent advances and future perspectives of carbon materials for fuel cell

Saadat, Nazmus; Dhakal, Hom Nath; Tjong, Jimi; Jaffer, Shaffiq A.; Yang, Weimin; Sain, Mohini

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2020.110535

Cited by 75 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 163 publications

(206 reference statements)

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“…Hydrogen powered electric vehicles rely mainly on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) that are reaching the commercialization phase. Bipolar plates (BPs) are important components of PEMFC where they distribute the gases (hydrogen and oxygen or air) uniformly, support the membrane electrode assemblies, collect and conduct electric current, connect the stacks, allow proper water management, remove heat and sustain the clamp pressure [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphite/epoxy composite for building Bipolar Plates

et al. 2022

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Bipolar plates (BPs) are important components of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). Graphite-epoxy composites, having a better corrosion resistance than metal-based BPs and better mechanical properties than graphite BPs, are a promising alternative. In this study, we tried to develop graphite-epoxy composites meeting the technical US DOE targets for 2020, with a proper choice of manufacturing conditions that ensure a good compromise between conductivity, flexural strength, and gas permeability. In particular, we studied the influence of the filler to binder ratio, changed the molding temperature and time, and investigated the effects of increasing pressure both on in-plane conductivity and on helium permeability. We found that both formulation and molding pressure are crucial in determining the permeability of the graphite-epoxy composites, whereas molding temperature and time seem to play a minor role.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphite/epoxy composite for building Bipolar Plates

et al. 2022

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“…Along with this advantage, the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is considered one of the most promising energy conversion devices due to its high-energy conversion efficiency with zero pollutant emissions, fast startup, and a low operating temperature [3][4][5]. Even with significant technological advances in fuel cell components, including the catalyst, electrolyte membrane, gas diffusion layer, and bipolar plates, it is still challenging to create high-performance, reliable, and durable fuel cells [6][7][8][9][10][11]. When it comes to the stability issue of the electrolyte membrane, though the widely used Nafion ® electrolyte membranewhich is constructed with a backbone of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-is considered to retain high chemical and mechanical stability, it is still inappropriate to use a Nafion ® membrane in the long term due to the instability of the perfluorinated sulfonic acid side chains, consecutive chemical attacks, and mechanical deformation during operation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on the Microscopic/Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of a Thermally Annealed Nafion® Membrane

et al. 2021

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The Nafion® electrolyte membrane, which provides a proton pathway, is an essential element in fuel cell systems. Thermal treatment without additional additives is widely used to modify the mechanical properties of the membrane, to construct reliable and durable electrolyte membranes in the fuel cell. We measured the microscopic mechanical properties of thermally annealed membranes using atomic force microscopy with the two-point method. Furthermore, the macroscopic property was investigated through tensile tests. The microscopic modulus exceeded the macroscopic modulus over all annealing temperature ranges. Additionally, the measured microscopic modulus increased rapidly near 150 °C and was saturated over that temperature, whereas the macroscopic modulus continuously increased until 250 °C. This mismatched micro/macroscopic reinforcement trend indicates that the internal reinforcement of the clusters is induced first until 150 °C. In contrast, the reinforcement among the clusters, which requires more thermal energy, probably progresses even at a temperature of 250 °C. The results showed that the annealing process is effective for the surface smoothing and leveling of the Nafion® membrane until 200 °C.

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“…They are important components which ensure a number of functions of fuel cells, namely, bringing the reaction gases into the vicinity of the bed, physically connecting the whole cell stack, and enabling the flow of electric current from electrodes to the current collectors. The recommendations for the material properties of bipolar plates are given by US Department of Energy (DOE) and are as follows: electrical conductivity (>100 S cm −1 ), thermal conductivity (>10 W mK −1 ), surface resistance ASR (<0.01 Ω cm 2 ), H 2 permeation coefficient (1.3 × 10 −14 ), flexural strength (>25 MPa), corrosion resistance (<1 μA cm −2 ; from voltametric methods), low weight (0.4 kg kWnet −1 ), and low cost (3 $ kWnet −1 ) [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The modifications of interconnectors are one of the most important approaches for improvements in the efficiency of fuel cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…80% of the whole cell mass, and are responsible for approx. 30–60% of their total production costs [ 18 ]. Composite bipolar plates from CPC are fabricated on the basis of inexpensive and widely available major components, most commonly graphite and polymer matrix, which have the potential to meet price, electrical, mechanical, corrosion resistance, and low-density requirements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Secondary Carbon Nanofillers on the Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Conductive Hybrid Composites Based on Epoxy Resin and Graphite

2021

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In this work, we present a comparative study of the impact of secondary carbon nanofillers on the electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of hybrid conductive polymer composites (CPC) based on high loadings of synthetic graphite and epoxy resin. Two different carbon nanofillers were chosen for the investigation—low-cost multi-layered graphene nanoplatelets (GN) and carbon black (CB), which were aimed at improving the overall performance of composites. The samples were obtained by a simple, inexpensive, and effective compression molding technique, and were investigated by the means of, i.a., scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electrical conductivity measurements, laser flash analysis, and thermogravimetry. The tests performed revealed that, due to the exceptional electronic transport properties of GN, its relatively low specific surface area, good aspect ratio, and nanometric sizes of particles, a notable improvement in the overall characteristics of the composites (best results for 4 wt % of GN; σ = 266.7 S cm−1; λ = 40.6 W mK−1; fl. strength = 40.1 MPa). In turn, the addition of CB resulted in a limited improvement in mechanical properties, and a deterioration in electrical and thermal properties, mainly due to the too high specific surface area of this nanofiller. The results obtained were compared with US Department of Energy recommendations regarding properties of materials for bipolar plates in fuel cells. As shown, the materials developed significantly exceed the recommended values of the majority of the most important parameters, indicating high potential application of the composites obtained.

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Recent advances and future perspectives of carbon materials for fuel cell

Cited by 75 publications

References 163 publications

Graphite/epoxy composite for building Bipolar Plates

Graphite/epoxy composite for building Bipolar Plates

Investigation on the Microscopic/Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of a Thermally Annealed Nafion® Membrane

Effect of Secondary Carbon Nanofillers on the Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Conductive Hybrid Composites Based on Epoxy Resin and Graphite

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