Abstract: A substrate for counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell is made of a composite material, which is prepared by: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein 0.01-10 wt % of an electrically conductive filler, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, is optionally added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a substrate for the counter electrode having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite having electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness is disclosed, which includes: dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an organic solvent such as N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc); dissolving monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an initiator such as 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in the MWCNT dispersion; and polymerizing the monomers in the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature such as 120° C. to form a MWCNT/PMMA composite. The composite is coated onto a PET film, and the coated PET film alone or a stack of multiple coated PET films can be applied as an EMI shielding material.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite having electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness is disclosed, which includes: dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an organic solvent such as N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc); dissolving monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an initiator such as 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in the MWCNT dispersion; and polymerizing the monomers in the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature such as 120° C. to form a MWCNT/PMMA composite. The composite is coated onto a PET film, and the coated PET film alone or a stack of multiple coated PET films can be applied as an EMI shielding material.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite having electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness is disclosed, which includes: dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an organic solvent such as N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc); dissolving monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an initiator such as 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in the MWCNT dispersion; and polymerizing the monomers in the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature such as 120° C. to form a MWCNT/PMMA composite. The composite is coated onto a PET film, and the coated PET film alone or a stack of multiple coated PET films can be applied as an EMI shielding material.

Abstract: A composite bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein carbon fiber 1-20 wt %, modified organo clay or noble metal plated modified organo clay 0.5-10 wt %, and one or more conductive fillers selected form: carbon nanotube (CNT) 0.1-5 wt %, nickel plated carbon fiber 0.5-10 wt %, nickel plated graphite 2.5-40 wt %, and carbon black 2-30 wt %, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, are added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a bipolar plate having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: A composite bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein carbon nanotubes together with a polyether amine dispersant or modified carbon nanotubes 0.05-10 wt %, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, are added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a bipolar plates having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: A composite bipolar plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) melt compounding a polypropylene resin and graphite powder to form a melt compounding material, the graphite powder content ranging from 50 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the melt compounding material and the polypropylene resin being a homopolymer of propylene or a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene, butylenes or hexalene, wherein 0.01-15 wt % of polymer-grafted carbon nanotubes by an acyl chlorination-amidization reaction, based on the weight of the polypropylene resin, are added during the compounding; and b) molding the melt compounding material from step a) to form a bipolar plates having a desired shaped at 100-250° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: A substrate for counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell is made of a composite material, which is prepared by: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein 0.01-10 wt % of an electrically conductive filler, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, is optionally added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a substrate for the counter electrode having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified carbon nanotube having —C(O)—R? or —C(O)—R—COOH covalently bounded to a surface of carbon nanotube, wherein R? is C1-C26 alkyl or C2-C26 alkenyl, and R is C1-C26 alkylene or C2-C26 alkenylene. The present invention also discloses a carbon nanotubes/polymer composite having electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness, which contains 0.1-10% of modified carbon nanotubes, based on the weight of the polymer. The present invention further provides methods for preparing the modified carbon nanotubes and the composite.

Abstract: A reinforced mesh structure containing bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein 0.05-10 wt % reactive carbon nanotubes modified by acyl chlorination-amidization reaction, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, are added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) with a metallic net being embedded in the molded BMC material to form a bipolar plates having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of ladder-like phosphorus-containing polysilsesquioxanes nanocomposite material is disclosed. The method uses a reaction between ladder-like phosphorus-containing polysilsesquioxanes and modified epoxy. Besides improved char yield and limiting oxygen index, thermal degradation rate of the nanocomposite material is lowered dramatically so that the nanocomposite material possesses excellent flame retardance and thermal stability. Moreover, optical transparency of the nanocomposite material according to the present invention is still good, not being reduced by increased amount of polysilsesquioxanes. Thus the nanocomposite material is applied to decorative paints or protective paints.

Abstract: A composite bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein carbon nanotubes together with a polyether amine dispersant or modified carbon nanotubes 0.05-10 wt %, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, are added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a bipolar plates having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite is disclosed, which includes: forming a layer of TiO2 on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a precursor of TiO2 by a sol-gel or hydrothermal method, a weight ratio of the TiO2 precursor to CNT being 0.3:1 to 30:1; modifying the TiO2-coated CNTs with a coupling agent to improve the affinity thereof to a polymer; and mixing a polymer with the resulting modified TiO2-coated CNTs to form a TiO2-coated CNT reinforced polymer composite. The mechanical properties of the polymer composite can be enhanced by using an additional fiber reinforcement material.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite having electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness is disclosed, which includes: dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an organic solvent such as N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc); dissolving monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an initiator such as 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in the MWCNT dispersion; and polymerizing the monomers in the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature such as 120° C. to form a MWCNT/PMMA composite. The composite is coated onto a PET film, and the coated PET film alone or a stack of multiple coated PET films can be applied as an EMI shielding material.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite is disclosed, which includes: forming a layer of TiO2 on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a precursor of TiO2 by a sol-gel or hydrothermal method, a weight ratio of the TiO2 precursor to CNT being 0.3:1 to 30:1; modifying the TiO2-coated CNTs with a coupling agent to improve the affinity thereof to a polymer; and mixing a polymer with the resulting modified TiO2-coated CNTs to form a TiO2-coated CNT reinforced polymer composite. The mechanical properties of the polymer composite can be enhanced by using an additional fiber reinforcement material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of ladder-like phosphorus-containing polysilsesquioxanes nanocomposite material is disclosed. The method uses a reaction between ladder-like phosphorus-containing polysilsesquioxanes and modified epoxy. Besides improved char yield and limiting oxygen index, thermal degradation rate of the nanocomposite material is lowered dramatically so that the nanocomposite material possesses excellent flame retardance and thermal stability. Moreover, optical transparency of the nanocomposite material according to the present invention is still good, not being reduced by increased amount of polysilsesquioxanes. Thus the nanocomposite material is applied to decorative paints or protective paints.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a polymer blend of sulfonated polymer such as poly(ether ether ketone) and poly(amide imide) for use as an proton-conducting membrane. The poly(amide imide) is prepared by conducing a ring-opening and condensation reactions of diisocyanate and 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride (TMA). The polymer blend has a reduced methanol uptake and methanol permeability while maintaining good proton conductivity, and thus is suitable for use as a proton-conducting membrane of a fuel cell. The present invention also discloses a process for preparing the poly(amide imide).

Abstract: A phenolic resin that increases its toughness by polydimethylsiloxane and a process of preparing the same is provided. Polydimethylsiloxane is added as a coupling agent in a ?-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-modified phenolic resin to improve the compatibility between polydimethylsiloxane and the phenolic resin. Then, tetraethoxysilane is added to conduct hydrolysis condensation and obtain tougher and thermally stable phenolic resin.

Abstract: The method of the present invention includes grafting a glycidyl alkylene trialkoxy silane to a novolac phenolic resin in an organic solvent to form a modified novolac phenolic resin; mixing a tetralkoxy silane, an acid and water with the resulting organic solution containing the modified novolac phenolic resin, wherein hydrolysis and condensation reactions are carried out to form a —Si—O—Si— bonding; adding a curing agent for novolac phenolic resin to the resulting reaction mixture; evaporating the organic solvent and acid from the resulting mixture and heating the resulting mixture to form a novolac phenolic resin/silica hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite.

Abstract: A composite bipolar plate of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) preparing a bulk molding compound (BMC) material containing a vinyl ester resin and a graphite powder, the graphite powder content of BMC material ranging from 60 wt % to 80 wt %, based on the compounded mixture; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a bipolar plate having a desired shape at 80–200° C. and 500–4000 psi, wherein the graphite powder is of 40 mesh–80 mesh.