Characteristics of Carbon Fiber Composite Current Collector Used in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

The main aim of this study is to use a carbon fiber composite board to replace the traditional graphite board. Because a carbon fiber composite has high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance and other desirable properties, we fabricate it into a current collector for use in a fuel cell. We use phenolic resin and flake graphite powder combined with carbon fiber plain weave to fabricate the carbon fiber composite current collector, which is carbonized in a high-temperature furnace at 800 degrees C. In this method, the resin, which has poor conductivity, is removed to increase the conductivity of the current collector. The electrical conductivity is measured using a fourpoint probe surface resistance machine and the flexural strength is measured using a universal material testing machine. In addition, the same characteristics of carbon fiber composite materials fabricated with different carbonization times are then discussed. Finally, the carbon fiber composite current collectors are assembled in single cells for performance testing.