The Effect of Polyaniline Addition on The Properties of Carbon-Based Polypropylene Composite

Abstract

One of the main component of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is the cell main frame, which consists of individual bipolar plates. Bipolar plates take 40% and more of stack cost. An investigation is made to prepare alternatives bipolar plate from local material. A carbon-based Polypropylene composite bipolar plate for PEMFC has been developed that has high electrical conductivity, high strength, light weight, and has the potential for being produced at low cost. The plate were prepared by solution blending of graphite and polymer with appropriate solvent and continued by compression molding. Specimens were made in different ratio of graphite (G), carbon black (CB) and polypropylene (PP); and various processing temperature. Then it was characterized for density, porosity, electrical conductivity, hardness, tensile strength and morphology. The electrical conductivity reaches 66.2402 S/cm by combination 95% G/CB and 5% PP. To increase electrical conductivity, Polyaniline (PANi) as conductive polymer was added by 5% weight of total polymer. Because of this addition, the electrical conductivity increase from 66.2402 S/cm to 99.2688 S/cm for 95% G/CB and 5% PP/PANi. While the commercial bipolar plates require 100 S/cm electrical conductivity. The density has fulfill the requirement for commercial bipolar plate, not more than 5 gr/cc.