The study compared the biosensing properties of laccase biosensors based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and copper/carbon composite nanofibers (Cu/CNFs). The two kinds of nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and carbonization under the same conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were employed to investigate the morphologies and structu...

Abstract Nanocellulose is a promising new membrane material for fuel cells, with much lower cost and environmental impact compared Nafion or Aquivion. It mechanically strong, an excellent hydrogen barrier has reasonable proton conductivity. Here, sulfonation of cellulose nanofibers performed to enhance the conductivity (up 2 × 10 ? 3 S cm 1 ) without compromising integrity, cells are fabricated...

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), as an efficient energy conversion device, has many advantages, such high efficiency and environmentally friendly zero emissions, is expected to have great potential for addressing the uneven distribution of global green energy. As a core component, performance (PEM) directly affects overall output system. At present, Nafion membranes with good, comp...

We propose an alternative new material (2,4,5-trifluoroimidazole impregnated Nafion) for use as a high-temperature, water-free membrane for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. This material has been tested computationally using molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics techniques, leading to an estimated conductivity of approximately 0.06 S/cm at 177 degrees C. This material overcomes the weakn...

The electromechanical response of a Nafion membrane immersed in water was probed using electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) to redistribute protons and measure the resulting local strain that is caused by the movement of protons. We also measured the relaxation of protons from the surface resulting from proton diffusion. Using this technique, we can visualize and analyze the local strain cha...

The effects of freeze/thaw (F/T) cycling on the structure of dry Nafion® membranes were investigated using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The method correlates the lifetime and relative intensity of positrons (anti-electrons) annihilating in the open-volume voids of the membrane with void size and void volume fraction. The results, though still preliminary, show freeze/thaw...

This paper describes the fabrication and characteristics of an ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) membrane-shaped micro-actuator and its application to the fabrication of a micro-pump. After fabricating two 8mm×8mm IPMC membraneshaped actuators using a Nafion film, their displacements were measured. The fabricated IPMC membrane-shaped micro-actuators showed displacement of 14∼27μm at the appl...

We deposit Pt particles electrochemically on an electrode covered with a Nafion membrane. Platinum ions travel through the hydrophilic channels of the membrane, and platinum deposits are formed at the place where the channels make contact with the planar electrode. This procedure deposits the catalyst only at the end of the hydrophilic channels that cross the membrane; no catalyst is placed und...