Nanostructured membranes and electrodes with sulfonic acid functionalized carbon nanotubes

Bijay Prakash Tripathi, Mauricio Schieda, Vinod Kumar Shahi, Suzana Pereira Nunes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herein we report the covalent functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes by grafting sulfanilic acid and their dispersion into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone). The nanocomposites were explored as an option for tuning the proton and electron conductivity, swelling, water and alcohol permeability aiming at nanostructured membranes and electrodes for application in alcohol or hydrogen fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. The nanocomposites were extensively characterized, by studying their physicochemical and electrochemical properties. They were processed as self-supporting films with high mechanical stability, proton conductivity of 4.47 × 10 -2 S cm-1 at 30 °C and 16.8 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 80 °C and 100% humidity level, electron conductivity much higher than for the plain polymer. The methanol permeability could be reduced to 1/20, keeping water permeability at reasonable values. The ratio of bound water also increases with increasing content of sulfonated filler, helping in keeping water in the polymer in conditions of low external humidity level. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)911-919
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume196
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledgements: The authors thank Dr. Lan Zhao for the microscopy. The work of B.P. Tripathi at GKSS was supported by DAAD.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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