Highly Conductive Polymer Nanocomposites for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Bipolar Plates: Valuation of a high-purity graphite extracted from a Canadian graphite mine

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Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology is presently attracting a great interest to both researchers and policy makers because their large-scale use will break fossil fuel dependency and reduce greenhouse gases. Most research currently focuses on the improvement of PEMFCs performances and the reduction of their production cost by developing new performant materials and industrial processing techniques, including those for the most expensive/massive components, the bipolar plates.Considering our expertise at Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke in conductive polymer-based nanocomposites for PEMFC bipolar plates and gas diffusion layers, the main goal of this collaborative project initiated by the two industrial partners Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG) and Plastiques Gagnon is to carry out a detailed study on the integration of a high-purity graphite (developed in Quebec by NMG) into the formulation of new, lighter and less expensive polymer/graphite nanocomposite materials for PEMFC bipolar plates. One of the main objectives is the valuation of this special grade of graphite used among others in lithium-ion batteries. NMG intends to become a strategic supplier of high-performance graphite to the world's leading manufacturers of PEMFCs, and Plastiques Gagnon, a well-known player in the injection of technical parts, among others for the automotive sector, will be involved in the optimization of the manufacturing process for thin BPPs through the injection-compression process.We believe that this project will beneficially contribute to the fuel cell industry competitiveness and will help to ensure that Canada increases its competitive global lead in this cutting-edge and clean energy technology.