作者：Guangwei He, Jing Zhao, Shen Zhu, Liangqiao Li, Zongyu Li, Yifan Li, Zhen Li, Hong Wu, Xinlin Yang,
关键字：Precipitation polymerization; carbon nanotubes; Nafion; composite membranes; proton conductivity under low humidity; mechanical properties
论文来源：期刊
具体来源：ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 6 (17), 15291-15301 (2014). DOI: 10.1021/am503760u
发表时间：2014年

Covalent grafting of acrylate-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), poly(vinylphosphonic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), and sulfonated poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) was achieved via precipitation polymerization. The formation of core-shell structures was evidenced by TEM images, and the thickness of the grafted shell was well-controlled. The incorporation of the functionalized MWCNTs with proton-conduction polymers into Nafion matrix afforded the composite membranes with enhanced water uptake, mechanical stability, and proton conductivities under reduced relative humidity (RH). The composite membrane containing 5 wt% phosphorylated MWCNTs showed the least reliance on humidity and significantly enhanced proton conductivity under reduced RH. These enhancements were attributable to the construction of continuous proton transport pathways (lower-energy-barrier) within membrane, excellent water-retention properties of the cross-linked polymer on MWCNTs and high proton conductivity of –PO₃H₂ groups under low RH.