Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. A microfluidic approach to synthesizing high-performance microfibers with tunable anhydrous proton conductivity
 
research article

A microfluidic approach to synthesizing high-performance microfibers with tunable anhydrous proton conductivity

Hasani-Sadrabadi, Mohammad Mahdi
•
Vandersarl, Jules J.
•
Dashtimoghadam, Erfan
Show more
2013
Lab On A Chip

Here, we demonstrate a new approach for the synthesis of ion exchange microfibers with finely tuned anhydrous conductivity. This work presents microfluidics as a system to control the size and phosphoric acid (PA) doping level of the polybenzimidazole (PBI) microfibers. It has been shown that the PA doping level can be controlled by varying the flow ratios in the microfluidic channel. The diameter of the microfibers increased with extending mixing time, whereas the doping level decreased with increasing flow ratio. The highest doping level, 16, was achieved at the flow ratio of 0.175. The anhydrous proton conductivity of the microfibers was found to be adjustable between 0.01 and 0.1 S cm(-1) at 160 degrees C, which is considerably higher than for conventionally doped PBI cast membranes (0.004 S cm(-1)). Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulation of proton conduction through the microfibers at different doping levels was in good agreement with the experimental results. These results demonstrate the potential of the microfluidic technique to precisely tune the physicochemical properties of PBI microfibers for various electrochemical applications such as hydrogen sensors, fuel cells as well as artificial muscles.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés