A highly electrically conductive polymer–multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite membrane

Abstract

Electrically conductive polymeric ultrafiltration membranes were fabricated by pressure filtering a thin layer of poly(vinyl alcohol) – cross-linked with carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and succinic acid – onto a support membrane. The effect of the degree of cross-linking and that of CNT concentration on the performance of these membranes was evaluated. These membranes demonstrated high pure water flux with good particle separation, high electrical conductivity, low polymer crystallinity, and low surface tensions. Membranes formed with 20 min cross-linking curing times and 20 w/% CNT concentration showed electrical resistivity as low as 2.8×10 −4 Ω m (conductivities as high as 3.6×10 3 S/m), pure water flux of 1440 L/m 2 h at pressures of 550 kPa, and triple-point initial contact angles as low as 40° with high hysteresis. ▸ Fabrication of a novel PVA–CNT–COOH self-supporting membrane. ▸ Membrane exhibits very high electrical conductivity as high as 3.6×10 3 S/m. ▸ Membranes show good UF properties including high flux and surface hydrophilicity. ▸ Water flux and MWCO can be tailored by altering CNT content and curing time.