@article { ISI:000280021000011, title = {Artificially designed membranes using phosphonated multiwall carbon nanotube-polybenzimidazole composites for polymer electrolyte fuel cells}, journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters}, volume = {1}, number = {14}, year = {2010}, month = {JUL}, pages = {2109-2113}, publisher = {AMER CHEMICAL SOC}, address = {1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA}, abstract = {

The ability of phosphonated carbon nanotubes to offer an unprecedented approach to tune both proton-conductivity and mechanical stability of hybrid polymer electrolytes based on the polybenzimidazole membrane is demonstrated for fuel cell applications. The covalent attachment between the amino group of the 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid precursor and CNTs has been confirmed by NMR and IR experiments, while EDAX analysis indicates that one out of every 20 carbon atoms is in the CNT is functionalized. Proton conductivity of the composite membrane shows a remarkable 50\% improvement in performance while a maximum power density of 780 and 600 mW cm(-2) is obtained for the composite and pristine membranes, respectively. Finally, the ultimate strength determined for the composite and pristine membranes is 100 and 65 MPa, respectively, demonstrating the superiority of the composite. This study opens up a new strategy to systematically tune the properties of polymer electrolytes for special applications by using appropriately functionalized CNTS.

}, issn = {1948-7185}, doi = {10.1021/jz1007005}, author = {Kannan, Ramaiyan and Aher, Pradnya P. and Palaniselvam, Thangavelu and Kurungot, Sreekumar and Kharul, Ulhas K. and Pillai, Vijayamohanan K.} } @article { ISI:000280145000055, title = {High aspect ratio nanoscale multifunctional materials derived from hollow carbon nanofiber by polymer insertion and metal decoration}, journal = {Chemical Communications}, volume = {46}, number = {30}, year = {2010}, month = {JUN}, pages = {5590-5592}, publisher = {ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY}, address = {THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

A novel high aspect ratio material which can simultaneously display multiple functions such as proton and electron conductivity and electrocatalytic activity has been developed by incorporating both platinum nanoparticles and phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole along the inner and outer surfaces of a hollow carbon nanofiber.

}, issn = {1359-7345}, doi = {10.1039/c0cc00571a}, author = {Balan, Beena K. and Kale, Vinayak S. and Aher, Pradnya P. and Shelke, Manjusha V. and Pillai, Vijayamohanan K. and Kurungot, Sreekumar} } @article { ISI:000287058200053, title = {Polybenzimidazoles based on 3,3 {\textquoteleft}-diaminobenzidine and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids: synthesis and evaluation of physicochemical properties toward their applicability as proton exchange and gas separation membrane material}, journal = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, volume = {120}, number = {2}, year = {2011}, month = {APR}, pages = {1090-1099}, publisher = {WILEY-BLACKWELL}, address = {111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA}, abstract = {

A series of aromatic-aliphatic polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) based on 3,3{\textquoteright}-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with incremental -CH2- groups were synthesized. Optimization of synthesis parameters and evaluation of physicochemical properties are requisite for PBI applicability as the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and gas separation membrane materials are reported. It was found that though all these PBIs exhibited high thermal, mechanical, and oxidative stability, effect of added flexibility on physical properties is not monotonous. Membranes were prepared by solution casting as well as phase-inversion method. The later types of membranes exhibited much higher H3PO4 content than its doping achieved in the solution casted membranes. These PBIs possess low hydrogen and helium permeability than that of conventional PBI. This low permeability, along with their excellent oxidative stability indicated that they can be promising PEM materials. Their CO2-sorption analysis revealed that PBI6 based on suberic acid possesses appreciable CO2 sorption. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 1090-1099, 2011

}, keywords = {Gas permeation, mechanical properties, membranes, oxidative stability, polybenzimidazoles}, issn = {0021-8995}, doi = {10.1002/app.33246}, author = {Bhavsar, Rupesh S. and Nahire, Sandip B. and Kale, Mrunali S. and Patil, Shubhangi G. and Aher, Pradnya P. and Bhavsar, Ritesh A. and Kharul, Ulhas K.} }