Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was bonded to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by ozone mediated process. The PVA-functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT-PVA) was characterized using FTIR, TGA, XPS, and solubility test. Three different kinds of CNT-PVA modified Nafion membranes were prepared: recast Nafion, CNT-PVA/Nafion 0.05, and CNT-PVA/Nafion 0.1. All of the above mentioned Nafion membranes, together with commercial Nafion, were tested in mechanical strength (using Instron analysis) and in proton conductivity. Two composite membranes were proved to possess better mechanical properties than commercial Nafion 212 and recast Nafion membrane; nevertheless, commercial membrane demonstrated greater proton conductivity than those of modified membranes.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Nguyen, Hang Minh

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-013111-081556

Advisor

• Ma, Yi Hua

Year

• 2011

Sponsor

• Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan

Date created

• 2011-01-31

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2020-12-07