A facile approach of fabricating proton exchange membranes by incorporating polydopamine-functionalized carbon nanotubes into chitosan. (8th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jie; Gong, Chunli; Wen, Sheng; Liu, Hai; Qin, Caiqin; Xiong, Chuanxi; Dong, Lijie
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 13(2019)
• Page Start: 6909
• Page End: 6918
• Publication Date: 2019-03-08
• Subjects: Chitosan -- Carbon nanotubes -- Polydopamine -- Proton exchange membrane -- Fuel cells; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Recently, fabricating low-cost and high-performance proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and chitosan (CS) have been extensively studied. Herein, we reported a facile but effective method to prepare CS-based PEM with polydopamine (PDA) functionalized CNTs (PDA@CNTs). The CS/PDA@CNTs composite membranes were prepared by incorporating PDA@CNTs into CS matrix followed by ion cross-linking with sulfuric acid. Due to the hydrogen bonding between the CS matrix and PDA coating, the thermal, mechanical and oxidation stability of the CS/PDA@CNTs composite membranes were improved. Moreover, the proton conductivity was also improved owing to the improved dispersion of PDA@CNTs in the CS matrix and the electrostatic interaction between PDA@CNTs and CS matrix. The maximum proton conductivity can reach to as high as 0.028 S cm −1 under 80 °C with 2 wt% loading of PDA@CNTs. These results indicate that the CS/PDA@CNTs composite membranes have great potential to be used as PEMs in fuel cells. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: CNTs were coated by PDA through a facile surface functionalization method. Composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating PDA@CNTs into CS matrix. Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction formed between PDA@CNTs and CS. PDA@CNTs provide long range, low barrier and efficient proton pathways in CS matrix.