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Effect of unfunctionalized and HNO 3 ‐functionalized MWCNT on the mechanical and electrical performances of PEMFC bipolar plates
Author(s) -
Athmouni Nafaa,
Mighri Frej,
Elkoun Saïd
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.43624
Subject(s) - materials science , polyvinylidene fluoride , composite material , carbon nanotube , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , compatibilization , carbon black , flexural strength , nanocomposite , graphite , surface modification , dispersion (optics) , chemical engineering , polymer , polymer blend , fuel cells , copolymer , engineering , natural rubber , physics , optics
This study aims at developing lightweight and high performance electrically conductive nanocomposites for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates (BPPs). These composites were made from an optimized co‐continuous mixture of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) reinforced with highly conductive carbon additives composed of carbon black (CB) and synthetic graphite (GR). Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were functionalized then used to improve BPPs electrical conductivity and their mechanical properties, such as flexural and impact strengths. It was observed that the best BPP prototype was obtained using nitric acid (HNO 3 )‐functionalized MWCNT. The latter led to the smothest BPP surface, the lowest through‐plane resitivity (0.12 Ω cm) and the highest impact and flexural strengths. These results are attributed to the improved dispersion of the functionalized MWCNT, a result of their best compatibilization with the (PET/PVDF) polymeric phase. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 43624.