• International Journal of Technology (IJTech)
  • Vol 7, No 8 (2016)

Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Composite Paper from Coconut Coir for Gas Diffusion Layer

Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Composite Paper from Coconut Coir for Gas Diffusion Layer

Title: Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Composite Paper from Coconut Coir for Gas Diffusion Layer
Fredina Destyorini, Achmad Subhan, Nanik Indayaningsih, Bambang Prihandoko, Anne Zulfia Syahrial

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Published at : 31 Dec 2016
Volume : IJtech Vol 7, No 8 (2016)
DOI : https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v7i8.6888

Cite this article as:
Destyorini, F., Subhan, A., Indayaningsih, N., Prihandoko, B., Syahrial, A.Z., 2016. Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Composite Paper from Coconut Coir for Gas Diffusion Layer. International Journal of Technology, Volume 7(8), pp. 1283-1290


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Fredina Destyorini Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences 15314, Indonesia. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Kampus UI Depok,
Achmad Subhan Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences 15314, Indonesia
Nanik Indayaningsih Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences 15314, Indonesia
Bambang Prihandoko Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences 15314, Indonesia
Anne Zulfia Syahrial Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Kampus UI Depok, Depok 16424, Indonesia
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Abstract
Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Composite Paper from Coconut Coir for Gas Diffusion Layer

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the critical components of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). It is generally made of a fossil-fuel-based carbon material. In this study, carbon composite paper (CCP) for GDL was prepared by using carbon material obtained from coconut coir. To obtain the CCP, 80 wt% carbon material from the coconut coir and 20 wt% polymer binder (ethylene vinyl acetate and polyethylene glycol) were mixed in xylene solvent at 100°C, cast on molded glass, and then rolled. The carbon material consists of a mixture of carbon fibers (length: 2 mm) and powders (size: 74 µm). Subsequently, the CCP was treated with polytetrafluoroethylene solution (10 wt%). The physical properties of the CCPs, such as through-plane electrical conductivity, porosity, density, and hydrophobic properties, were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy mapping were used to analyze the morphology and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) distribution in the CCP. The through-plane conductivity test showed that CCP with 70 wt% carbon fiber, 10 wt% carbon powder, and 20 wt% polymer was the optimum sample, and it showed the highest electrical conductivity of 2.22 S cm-1. The physical properties of PTFE-treated CCP, such as porosity, density, and contact angle, were almost similar to that of commercial carbon paper used as a GDL. Therefore, the CCP prepared from coconut coir can be applied as a GDL in a PEMFC.

Carbonization; Carbon composite paper; Coconut coir; Electrical conductivity; Gas diffusion layer