Investigating the properties of nanoparticles from heveabrasiliensis shell for coolant application in PEMFCs

Extensive consumption of petroleum-based products, which has resulted in energy depletion, prompted a need to seek alternative and renewable means of transportation. PEMFCs can achieve high power density, low operating temperatures, rapid start-up, and clean energy, making them ideal for transportation. Several studies have demonstrated that conventional cooling agents, such as water or water with ethylene glycol, do not dissipate heat efficiently in PEMFCs, resulting in deteriorating performance and a shortened operational lifespan over time. The incorporation of bio-sourced nanofluids as an alternative coolant for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells is the newest venture to take over PEM fuel cell development. Utilizing bio-sourced nanofluids is being evaluated for elevating the heat conduction and decreasing the electrical conductivity of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The objective of this article is to investigate Hevea brasiliensis Shell (HBS)-based nanofluids dispersed in water and Ethylene glycol (EG) at varying concentrations of 0.1 vol%, 0.3 vol%, and 0.5 vol% by paying attention to improving heat transfer, extracting high electrical output, reducing pump loss, and increasing the longevity of cells. As an adverse effect, incorporating HBS at a 0.5 % volume concentration within an 80:20 mixture of water and ethylene glycol (W:EG) resulted in an 8 % improvement in heat transfer and a 77 % increase in electrical conductivity when compared to W:EG (80:20), which is promising as a pertinent cooling technique for PEMFC stacks.