title: Preparation of 3D electrode microarrays of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/nafion nanocomposites for microfluidic biofuel cells.
abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) electrode microarrays with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced Nafion nanocomposites were prepared for microfluidic biofuel cells. The oxidized MWCNTs (ox-MWCNTs) were prepared using chemical reactions with 60% nitric acid solution with pristine MWCNTs at 120 degrees C for 12 hrs with a nitrogen gas flow environment. Ox-MWCNTs in the range of 1 to 20 wt.% based on the Nafion polymer weight were reinforced to Nafion nanocomposites by solution casting. The micro-porous structure of the ox-MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposites was prepared by plasma etching for 5 to 20 min. The 10 wt.% ox-MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposite produced stable micro-porous structures of 3D electrodes by 10 min plasma etching. Micro-scale 3D structures of MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposites in a diameter range of 47 to 300 μm were prepared by the micro-stencil assisted casting. To characterize the 3D electrode microarrays, the physical geometry and the reinforced MWCNT dispersion in the nanocomposite structure were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an optical microscope. Thermal property measurements of the ox-MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposites with 10 min of plasma etching, and without plasma etching were made. Both showed stable thermal properties over 300 degrees C. The proposed 3D electrode microarray of MWCNT/Nafion nanocomposites with micro-porous structures can be applied to miniaturized fuel cell devices.
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Deuk
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Gyu Man
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D004566:Electrodes; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D044085:Microfluidics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; C040402:perfluorosulfonic acid