Chitosan‐based composite membranes containing chitosan‐coated carbon nanotubes for polymer electrolyte membranes. (28th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ou, Ying; Tsen, Wen‐Chin; Gong, Chunli; Wang, Jie; Liu, Hai; Zheng, Genwen; Qin, Caiqin; Wen, Sheng
• Is Part Of: Polymers for advanced technologies. Volume 29:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 612
• Page End: 622
• Publication Date: 2017-09-28
• Subjects: carbon nanotubes -- chitosan -- fuel cells -- polymer electrolyte membranes; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pat.4171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-7147

Abstract

Abstract : Considering the poor dispersion and inert ionic conduction ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalization of CNTs is a critical issue for their application in polymer electrolyte membranes. Herein, CNTs were functionalized by the polyelectrolyte, chitosan (CS), via a facile noncovalent surface‐deposition method. The obtained CS‐coated CNTs (CS@CNTs) were then incorporated into the CS matrix and fabricated composite membranes. The CS coating can enhance the compatibility between CNTs and the matrix, thus ensuring the homogenous dispersion of CS@CNTs and effectively improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Moreover, the CS coating can make CS@CNTs act as an additional proton‐conducting pathway through the membranes. The CS/CS@CNTs‐1 composite shows the highest proton conductivity of 3.46 × 10 −2 S cm −1 at 80°C, which is about 1.5‐fold of the conductivity of pure CS membrane. Consequently, the single cell equipped with CS/CS@CNTs‐1 membrane exhibits a peak power density of 47.5 mW cm −2, which is higher than that of pure CS (36.1 mW cm −2 ).