耗散粒子动力学模拟Nafion膜和PVA/Nafion共混膜的介观结构

采用耗散粒子动力学模拟方法研究了水化Nafion膜和水化聚乙烯醇(PVA)/Nafion共混膜的微结构.模拟结果表明水化Nafion膜和水化PVA/Nafion共混膜均能形成相分离的微结构.在水化Nafion膜中,水与磺酸根混合形成管状的水团簇.随着膜内水含量增多,管状水团簇的尺寸逐渐变大并在膜内形成连续的水通道.在水化PVA/Nafion共混膜中,PVA、水、磺酸根混合形成亲水性区域.共混膜中PVA的质量分数和水含量共同影响膜的微结构.当膜中PVA质量分数较低时,PVA主要分布在Nafion的磺酸根基团周围;PVA质量分数升高后,PVA会在膜内单独成一相.当膜中的水含量相对较低时,水分子会溶解于PVA中,此时膜内不存在单独的水团簇;膜中的水含量增多后,膜内会形成接近于球形的水团簇.本文工作可为直接甲醇燃料电池用的PVA改性Nafion膜的开发提供参考.     

Nafion/PTFE and zirconium phosphate modified Nafion/PTFE composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

We prepared Nafion/PTFE (NF) and zirconium phosphate (ZrP) hybridized Nafion/PTFE composite membranes (NF–ZrP). NF–ZrP composite membranes were prepared via two processes. One is impregnating sub-μm porous PTFE membrane directly in a Nafion/ZrOCl₂ solution (NF–Zr–d). The other is impregnating sub-μm porous PTFE membrane in a Nafion solution to prepare NF composite membrane, and then the NF membrane was impregnated in a ZrOCl₂ aqueous solution via in situ precipitation method (NF–Zr–I). The ZrOCl₂ inserted in NF composite membranes was then reacted with phosphoric acid to form ZrP and thus NF–ZrP–d and NF–ZrP–I composite membranes were obtained. The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performances of membrane electrode assemblies prepared from Nafion-117, NF, NF–ZrP–d, and NF–ZrP–I composite membranes were investigated. The effects of introducing sub-μm porous PTFE film and ZrP particles into Nafion membranes on the DMFC performance were investigated. The influence of ZrP hybridizing process into NF membranes (the process of preparing NF–ZrP–I is inserting ZrOCl₂ into NF membranes after Nafion is annealed and the process of preparing NF–ZrP–d is mixing ZrOCl₂ into a Nafion solution before Nafion is annealed) on the morphology of NF–ZrP composite membranes and thus on the DMFC performance was also discussed.     

新型固体酸催化剂Nafion/SiO2的制备与表征

以正硅酸乙酯为硅源,通过原位溶胶-凝胶技术,制得一类由中孔孔道氧化硅组装的纳米Nafion固体酸催化剂Nafion/SiO2,大大增加了Nafion^(R)NR50酸性中心的暴露量,提高了活性中心的可接近程度。BET,FTIR,TG,SEM和EDX分析表明,NR50的纳米颗粒负载在多孔性SiO2中呈现分布均匀;NH3-TPD分析结果表明,固体酸催化剂Nafion/SiO2具有四种强度不同的酸性位,且其主要酸性中心(SO3H)具有两种不同的热稳定性。     

Preparation of Nafion/PTFE/Zr(HPO4)2 composite membranes by direct impregnation method

The viscosities of as received 5.1 wt.% Nafion solutions (EW = 1100, Du Pont Co) blended with various concentrations of ZrOCl₂ were studied. We show the solution viscosity decreases as the wt. ratio of [ZrOCl₂]/[Nafion] is increased from 0.0 to 0.03, then the viscosity does not change significantly as the wt. ratio of [ZrOCl₂]/[Nafion] is increased from 0.03 to 0.16, and then the viscosity increases dramatically as the wt. ratio of [ZrOCl₂]/[Nafion] is increased above 0.16. Four Nafion solutions consisting of 5.1 wt.% Nafion and ZrOCl₂ with [ZrOCl₂]/[Nafion] wt. ratios of 0.019–0.24 were used with porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) film to prepare zirconium hydrogenphosphate (ZrP) hybridized Nafion/PTFE (NF–ZrP) composite membranes by direct impregnating porous PTFE in Nafion/ZrOCl₂ solutions. The influence of [ZrOCl₂]/[Nafion] wt. ratio of Nafion/ZrOCl₂ solution on the membrane morphology of NF–ZrP and polyelectrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance at temperatures of 110–130 °C with relative humidity of 51.7–28.8% RH was investigated.     

Low water/methanol permeable Nafion/CHP organic-inorganic composite membrane with high crystallinity

High methanol crossover is one of the main issues of the polyelectrolyte in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In order to decrease methanol crossover, we introduced a new method that crystallinity control was performed with incorporating CHP (calcium hydroxyphosphate) into Nafion solution. As a result, crystallinity in the composite membranes increased with CHP content compared to cast Nafion accompanying the formation of new crystalline peaks in the original amorphous region of Nafion. On the other hand, water uptake content, methanol sorption/desorption permeability and methanol crossover in the composite membranes remarkably decreased. We conclude that an increase in crystallinity due to the strong interfacial adhesion between Nafion and CHP can suppress the methanol crossover.     

Cuprous Oxide/Nitrogen-doped Graphene Nanocomposites as Electrochemical Sensors for Ofloxacin Determination

Cu₂O/nitrogen-doped grapheme(NG) nanocomposite material was prepared via a facile one step chemical reduction and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). A new electrochemical sensor was then fabricated by coating Cu₂O/nitrogen-doped graphene nanocomposite with Nafion on glassy carbon electrode(Cu₂O/NG/Nafion/GCE). The electrochemical response of this modified electrode toward ofloxacin was examined by cyclic voltammetry. The results indicate that Cu₂O/NG/Nafion composite-modified electrode exhibits higher catalytic activity in the electrochemical oxidation of ofloxacin compared with glassy carbon electrode(GCE), Cu₂O/Nafion modified electrode(Cu₂O/Nafion/GCE), and N-doped graphene/Nafion modified electrode(NG/Nafion/GCE). Under optimal conditions, the peak current was found to be linearly proportional to the concentration of ofloxacin in the 0.5-27.5 μmol/L and 27.5-280 μmol/L ranges with a lower detection limit of 0.34 μmol/L, higher sensitivity of 39.32 μA·L·mmol^-1 and a shorter reaction time of less than 2 s. In addition, Nafion can enhance the stability of the modified electrode and prevent some negative species. Thus the modified electrode exhibits good selectivity and a long working life. The Cu₂O/NG/Nafion composite modified electrode shows promising application in electrochemical sensors, biosensors, and other related fields because of its excellent properties.     

The Mass Transfer of Proton on Meniscus Nafion/Pt/HOPG Electrode

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) recently have been studied extensively because of their high performance^[1-3]. Since a small contacting area between the platinum catalyst and polymer electrolyte in PEMFCs, the platinum utilization is very important for this kind of cells. In order to improve the platinum utilization, Nafion solution is often impregnated into the gas-diffusion electrodes of PEMFCs. We introduced a partially immersed Nafion-coated electrode, Nafion/Pt/HOPG(highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) as a model electrode in PEMFC, to examine the effects of Nafion coating on the mass transport of hydrogen and proton at the meniscus and supermeniscus formed on the electrodes.     

连续流微反应器中微纤结构化的Nafion/SiO2固体酸催化苯硝化反应

采用溶胶-凝胶组装方法制备了Nafion/SiO2胶体, 并涂附于烧结的316L不锈钢(SS-316L)金属微纤网络, 形成了空隙率为60%-75%(φ, 体积分数)的整体式微纤结构化的Nafion/SiO2固体酸催化剂. 使用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR), 热重分析(TGA), 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及NH3吸附法对微纤结构化的Nafion/SiO2催化剂进行了表征. 结果显示, 溶胶-凝胶组装方法可以明显促进Nafion的分散, 导致酸性中心的暴露量显著增加; 结构化的Nafion/SiO2催化剂以200-400 nm颗粒堆积而成的多孔涂层形式存在. 在一种集换热、混合、催化(反应)功能于一体的微反应器中, 考察了整体式微纤结构化的Nafion/SiO2固体酸催化剂催化苯硝化的反应性能. Nafion在SiO2中的组装量为20%(w, 质量分数), 金属微纤网络上Nafion/SiO2担载量为36.3%(w)的优化催化剂上, 75 ℃时苯转化率为44.7%, 硝基苯选择性可达99.9%. 相近转化率下, Nafion/SiO2固体酸单位酸中心的催化效能约为硫酸的600倍.     

Preparation and characterization of Nafion/SPEEK layered composite membrane and its application in vanadium redox flow battery

In order to reduce the cost of membrane used in vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) system while keeping its chemical stability, Nafion/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) layered composite membrane (N/S membrane) consisting of a thin layer of recast Nafion membrane and a layer of SPEEK membrane were prepared by chemical crosslink the sulfonic acid groups of different ionomer membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and IR spectra analysis of the membrane showed that Nafion layer was successfully deposited on the SPEEK membrane surface and an integral layered membrane structure was formed. The area resistance and permeability of vanadium ions of membrane were also measured. It was found that N/S membrane have a very low permeability of vanadium ions accompanied by a little higher area resistance compared with Nafion membrane. As a result, the VRB single cell with N/S membrane exhibited higher coulombic efficiency and lower voltage efficiency compared with VRB single cell with Nafion membrane. Although N/S membrane delivered relatively lower energy efficiency compared with Nafion membrane, its good chemical stability and low cost make it a suitable substitute for Nafion membrane used in VRB system.     

乙酰胆碱酯酶/Nafion/普鲁士蓝修饰玻碳电极的制备及其在有机农药检测中的应用

制备了乙酰胆碱酯酶/Nafion/普鲁士蓝修饰的玻碳电极,测试了该修饰电极检测有机农药西维因(carbaryl)和敌百虫(trichlorfon)的性能指标。 利用原子力显微镜和电化学技术研究了电极的构造及其对于有机农药检测性能指标的影响。 结果表明,乙酰胆碱酯酶均匀地分散到Nafion/普鲁士蓝修饰的玻碳电极上。 在最优的实验条件下,构筑的修饰电极检测西维因和敌百虫的线性范围分别为0.01~0.5 μmol/L及2.0~10.0 μmol/L和0.02~1.0 μmol/L及2.0~8.0 μmol/L,检出限分别为5.0和10.0 nmol/L。 并对模拟的实际样品进行了检测,发现该方法有较高的检测灵敏度、较好的重复性和抗干扰性。     

Thermal Behavior of Nafion Membranes

The thermal behavior of Nafion-117 membranes was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TG measurements revealed that the mechanism of thermal degradation of a Nafion membrane in the acid form is different from that of Nafion in the sodium form. The DSC curves for the first heating, for both acid and salt forms, display two endothermic peaks, near 120 and 230°C. The high-temperature peak was assigned to the crystalline domains melting in Nafion, and the low-temperature peak was attributed to a transition into ionic clusters, since this transition exhibits significant changes depending on the nature of the counterion and the degree of hydration.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mechanism for degradation of Nafion in PEM fuel cells from quantum mechanics calculations

We report results of quantum mechanics (QM) mechanistic studies of Nafion membrane degradation in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Experiments suggest that Nafion degradation is caused by generation of trace radical species (such as OH(●), H(●)) only when in the presence of H(2), O(2), and Pt. We use density functional theory (DFT) to construct the potential energy surfaces for various plausible reactions involving intermediates that might be formed when Nafion is exposed to H(2) (or H(+)) and O(2) in the presence of the Pt catalyst. We find a barrier of 0.53 eV for OH radical formation from HOOH chemisorbed on Pt(111) and of 0.76 eV from chemisorbed OOH(ad), suggesting that OH might be present during the ORR, particularly when the fuel cell is turned on and off. Based on the QM, we propose two chemical mechanisms for OH radical attack on the Nafion polymer: (1) OH attack on the S-C bond to form H(2)SO(4) plus a carbon radical (barrier: 0.96 eV) followed by decomposition of the carbon radical to form an epoxide (barrier: 1.40 eV). (2) OH attack on H(2) crossover gas to form hydrogen radical (barrier: 0.04 eV), which subsequently attacks a C-F bond to form HF plus carbon radicals (barrier as low as 1.00 eV). This carbon radical can then decompose to form a ketone plus a carbon radical with a barrier of 0.86 eV. The products (HF, OCF(2), SCF(2)) of these proposed mechanisms have all been observed by F NMR in the fuel cell exit gases along with the decrease in pH expected from our mechanism.     

Highly durable proton exchange membranes for low temperature fuel cells

A novel method has been proposed to fabricate Nafion/poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with high durability and high chemical stability. In this method, Nafion ionomers were first converted into the Na(+) form, they were then fixed on PTFE frame micropores, and then the polymer was heat-treated at 270 degrees C. The chemical stability tests of the novel composite PEMs by Fenton's reagent demonstrate the significant improvement in the chemical durability. The Nafion/PTFE composite PEMs also show an excellent physical stability, and its RH-generated stress is 0.6 MPa at 25 RH% and 90 degrees C, substantially smaller than 3.1 MPa for pure Nafion membrane under the same conditions. In an in situ accelerating RH cyclic experiment, the degradation in the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the fuel cell assembled with the novel composite PEMs is 3.3 mV/h, significantly lower than 13.2 mV/h for a fuel cell assembled with the commercial Nafion membrane.     

Synthesis, testing, and characterization of a novel Nafion membrane with superior performance in photoassisted immobilized Fenton catalysis

A new type of Nafion/Fe structured membrane ensuring faster kinetics, higher efficiency, and mechanical properties has been prepared and will be compared in its performance with the Fe-exchanged commercial Dupont 117 Nafion/Fe membrane during the abatement of model organic compounds. During the casting of the laboratory Nafion sample, the iron ions were introduced directly into the Nafion oligomer solution. This novel laboratory Nafion/Fe was tested as an immobilized catalyst in the degradation of several toxic pollutants showing a faster photoassisted degradation kinetics and a wider effective photocatalytic pH range compared to the Fe-exchanged commercial Dupont 117 Nafion/Fe membrane. When carrying out Ar ion sputtering of the 50 topmost catalyst layers, evidence is presented by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that Fe ions are found in the inner Nafion layers and seem to be responsible for the immobilized photoassisted Fenton processes leading to the degradation of 4-chorophenol (4-CP) taken as a model organic pollutant for the degradation process reported in this study. In the laboratory sample, the iron oxy/hydroxy Nafion moiety undergoes a transition to a more stable Nafion/Fe species during 4-CP degradation as determined by X-ray diffraction. This more stable form shows a higher iron dispersion and crystallinity compared to the fresh sample and is stabilized by the Nafion matrix avoiding the formation of separate iron phases. By infrared absorption (Fourier transform infrared), evidence is presented for the band of akaganeite-like species at 870 cm(-1) on the laboratory Nafion/Fe sample. This band disappears after 4-CP degradation because of the formation of the more highly dispersed iron species. Sputtering experiments show a decrease of F-containing groups in the laboratory Nafion/Fe samples closer to the catalyst upper layer while the amounts of Fe, C, and in particular O species increase in the topmost layer(s). In particular, the oxygenated species develop in the Nafion/Fe up to approximately 50 A below the catalyst surface. These species remain stable during the long-term Nafion/Fe degradation of 4-CP. Dynamo-mechanical analysis performed on laboratory Nafion/ Fe membrane samples revealed that these membranes possessed a greater mechanical modulus and resistance than the commercial Dupont 117 Nafion membrane.     

Electrocatalytic activities of Nafion/CdSe/Self-doped polyaniline composites to dopamine,uric acid,and ascorbic acid

Composites of Nafion, COOH-capped CdSe, and self-doped polyaniline (SPAN) were used to prepare novel chemical modified glassy carbon electrodes (Nafion/CdSe/SPAN/GCE). The electrocatalytic activities of the modified GCE to the redox reactions of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and ascorbic acid (AA) were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). CV curves revealed that the electrocatalytic activities of Nafion/CdSe/SPAN/GCE to oxidations of the analytes in solution of pH 7 were in the order of DA?>?UA?>?AA. This order was consistent with the strong-to-low extent of interactions between the modified GCE and the analytes. These interactions were consistent with the observations that the oxidation rate of DA followed a diffusion-controlled process whereas that of UA followed a surface adsorption-controlled process. The composites of casting at higher pH levels were found to exhibit better CdSe and SPAN dispersions in films and higher electrocatalytic activities. CdSe and SPAN exhibited insignificant synergistic effects on the oxidations of DA when cast from Nafion solutions of both low and high pHs whereas CdSe and SPAN exhibited much synergistic effects on the oxidations of UA when cast from the Nafion solution of high pH at 12.     

Hydrophilicity/porous structure-tuned, SiO2/polyetherimide-coated polyimide nonwoven porous substrates for reinforced composite proton exchange membranes

Porous substrate-reinforced composite proton exchange membranes have drawn considerable attention due to their promising application to polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In the present study, we develop silica (SiO(2)) nanoparticles/polyetherimide (PEI) binders-coated polyimide (PI) nonwoven porous substrates (referred to as "S-PI substrates") for reinforced composite membranes. The properties of S-PI substrates, which crucially affect the performance of resulting reinforced composite membranes, are significantly improved by controlling the hygroscopic SiO(2) particle size. The 40 nm S-PI substrate (herein, 40 nm SiO(2) particles are employed) shows the stronger hydrophilicity and highly porous structure than the 530 nm S-PI substrate due to the larger specific surface area of 40 nm SiO(2) particles. Based on the comprehensive understanding of the S-PI substrates, the structures and performances of the S-PI substrates-reinforced composite membranes are elucidated. In comparison with the 530 nm S-PI substrate, the hydrophilicity/porous structure-tuned 40 nm S-PI substrate enables the impregnation of a large amount of a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer (Nafion), which thus contributes to the improved proton conductivity of the reinforced Nafion composite membrane. Meanwhile, the reinforced Nafion composite membranes effectively mitigate the steep decline of proton conductivity with time at low humidity conditions, as compared to the pristine Nafion membrane. This intriguing finding is further discussed by considering the unusual features of the S-PI substrates and the state of water in the reinforced Nafion composite membranes.     

Solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor based on the Nafion/poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) composite film

An effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on Nafion/poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) composite film-modified ITO electrode was developed. The Nafion/PSS/Ru composite film was characterized by atomic force microscopy, UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and electrochemical experiments. The Nafion/PSS composite film could effectively immobilize tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) via ion-exchange and electrostatic interaction. The ECL behavior of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ immobilized in Nafion/PSS composite film was investigated using tripropylamine (TPA) as an analyte. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for TPA at the Nafion/PSS/Ru composite-modified electrode was estimated to be 3.0 nM, which is 3 orders of magnitude lower than that obtained at the Nafion/Ru modified electrode. The Nafion/PSS/Ru composite film-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode also exhibited good ECL stability. In addition, this kind of immobilization approach was simple, effective, and timesaving.     

Morphology study of Nafion membranes prepared by solutions casting

The structures of Nafion membranes prepared by solutions casting from low aliphatic alcohols/water mixture solvents and N,N′‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent were investigated using differential scanning calorimeter and small angle X‐ray scattering. The aggregation behavior of Nafion molecules in the casting solutions was also investigated using dynamic light scattering. We show that the morphology of membranes was strongly influenced by the conformations of Nafion molecules in the solutions. In aliphatic alcohol/water mixture solvents, which have a worse compatibility with Nafion backbones, the Nafion molecules aggregate and form fringed rod‐like structures. These primary rod‐like structures then aggregate again through fringed side chains to form secondary ionic aggregations. In DMF solvent, owing to its better compatibility with Nafion backbones, less Nafion molecules aggregate. The high degree of Nafion molecular aggregations in aliphatic alcohol/water mixture solvents leads to a high degree of hydrophobic and hydrophilic phase separation for membranes prepared by casting from Nafion/aliphatic alcohol/water solutions. However, the lower degree of molecular aggregations in DMF solvent results in a lower degree of hydrophobic and hydrophilic phase separation for membranes prepared by casting from Nafion/DMF solution. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3044–3057, 2005     

Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Trace Heavy Metals in Real Water Using Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes/Nafion Composite Film Electrode

Multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Nafion composite film (MWCNTs/Nafion) were used for fabricating electrochemical sensors for the voltammetric detection of trace lead(II) and cadmium(II) in several water samples. The morphology and structure of MWCNTs/Nafion film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectrum (IR). The electron transfer of MWCNTs/Nafion composite film was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS). Various experimental parameters, which influenced the response of MWCNTs/Nafion/GC to target metals, were optimized. The results showed that the synergistic effect was obtained on the MWCNTs/Nafion/GC whose sensitivity and stability were better than those of Nafion‐coated electrode (Nafion/GC) or CNTs/GC. Stability of the Pb(II) and Cd(II) stripping signals was excellent with relative standard deviations (RSD) within 5% (n=10) from one electrode preparation to another, and RSD of 30 µg·L^?1 Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 2.8% and 3.2% for 20 repeated analysis on one single CNTs/Nafion/GC. Over 50 runs, the stability of Pb and Cd detection at the MWCNTs/Nafion conposites electrode was still satisfactory with RSD lower than 6.0%. The determination limits (S/N=3) of the proposed method were determined to be 100 ng·L^?1 for Pb and 150 ng·L^?1 for Cd. Finally, the MWCNTs/Nafion/GC was successfully applied to determine Pb(II) and Cd(II) in different water samples with recoveries of 97%–103% for Pb and 96%–104% for Cd.