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Structure and properties of carbon fiber paper with gradient porous structure

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Abstract

It is crucial to develop high porosity and permeability carbon fiber paper for improving the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Herein, Porous carbon paper with gradient structure (GCP) was prepared by the process of impregnation with a solution of phenolic resin /carbon black composites, overlayer molding, carbonization and graphitization. Specially, conductive carbon black was modified by silane coupling agent (KH-550) and in-situ polymerization with phenolic resin to improve its dispersion uniformity. The microstructure, porosity, gas permeability, electric resistance and mechanic properties of the as-prepared GCP are characterized. The resultant GCP has a gradual transition of porosity from bottom layer to top layer, which constitutes diffusion channels conducive to the transport of gas and liquid. In addition, GCP exhibits superior gas permeability, conductivity, corrosion resistance and tensile strength over commercial carbon paper (CCP). It has potential application prospects for further improving the performance of fuel cells.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (grant number 2019YFB1504502) and Foshan Science and Technology Innovation Project (grant number 1920001004360).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Powder Metallurgy Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Li Li, Yuyan Wang, Ting Lei & Zhiyong Xie

  2. Guangdong Hydrogen Engine New Material Co., Ltd, Guangdong, 528500, China

    Zhiyong Xie & Yili Liang

  3. School of Material Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Yili Liang

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  1. Li Li
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  2. Yuyan Wang
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Contributions

Ting Lei conceived the idea, Li Li and Yuyan Wang carried out the sample synthesis, characterization, performance measurement and original manuscript writing, Zhiyong Xie helped with the sample synthesis and data curation, Yili Liang and Ting Lei edited and revised the manuscript. The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All authors have read the manuscript and approved to submit to your journal.

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Correspondence to Ting Lei.

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Li, L., Wang, Y., Lei, T. et al. Structure and properties of carbon fiber paper with gradient porous structure. J Porous Mater 31, 887–895 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10934-024-01566-z

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