Carbon Xerogel as a Novel Minor Conductive Filler for Carbon-Polymer Composite Bipolar Plates

The current research explores the potential of carbon xerogel as a conductive filler in bipolar plates. The composites comprise graphite as the primary conductive filler and polypropylene as the binder. Carbon xerogel is introduced as a minor conductive filler, and its performance is compared with commercial carbon black. Both nanocarbons exhibit resemblances in microstructure, texture, and surface carbon chemistry. Through-plane conductivity measurements reveal enhanced electrical conductivity upon replacing a fraction of graphite with either nanofiller. Cross-sectional analyses of the plates employing computed tomography based on X-ray diffraction and phase contrasts indicate that the observed electrical conductivity difference stems from reduced trapped air during production and the distribution of the minor filler particles. Given the similarities between carbon xerogel and the reference nanofiller, this study introduces the innovative concept of employing carbon xerogel as a filler for conductive bipolar plates.