Electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide modified carbon paper: Enhance the interface strength and decrease the interface resistance.

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) is a key component of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with the central roles of transporting electrons, supporting the electrode structure and transporting protons. However, the traditional carbon paper for GDL greatly limits the large-scale commercial application of PEMFC due to shortcomings such as low mechanical strength and poor electrical conductivity. Based on this, in this paper, ultrasound-assisted electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide process is used to modify the primary carbon fiber paper and simultaneously improve the interfacial bond strength and interfacial conductivity of the carbon fiber paper to realize the facile preparation of phenolic resin carbon/reduced graphene oxide/carbon fiber (CFP-GO 250–25) carbon-carbon composites with high mechanical and electrical conductivity properties. Compared to the unmodified carbon paper, the prepared CFP-GO 250–25 shows an increase in tensile strength of about 76.5 % to 5.4 Mpa, a decrease in resistivity from 24.00 mΩ·cm to 10.21 mΩ·cm, and also has an excellent air permeability of 7.58 L/min. This study provides a reference for the facile preparation of phenolic resin carbon/reduced graphene oxide/carbon fiber carbon/carbon composites and promotes the large-scale commercial application of carbon fiber paper for low-cost GDL. [Display omitted] • A simple method for preparing carbon paper (CP-GO 250–25) for gas diffusion layer by electrophoretic deposition is presented. • Electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide improves the interfacial strength and conductivity of carbon paper. • CP-GO 250–25 has high tensile strength (5.4 MPa), low resistivity (10.21 mΩ·cm) and excellent air permeability (7.58 L/min). • CP-GO 250–25 has good electric heating performance, and the temperature can reach 340 ℃ within 30 s under 10 V voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]