Preparation of MWNTs/polyaniline composite membranes by filtration and flash welding method

Abstract

This paper reports the fabrication of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/polyaniline (PANi) composite membranes by a filtration and flash welding method. MWNTs are acid treated to acquire better distribution in the composite membranes. PANi-nanofibers with a unique photothermal property are obtained by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline. Dense MWNTs/PANi composite membranes are produced by filtration and a subsequent flash welding method. For the strong shear forces during the suction process, partly aligned MWNTs could be found in MWNTs/PANi composite membranes. Owing to the cross-linking structure of PANi nanofibers resulted by flash welding, composite membranes with an improved wettability could be obtained by intensity flash irradiation. Furthermore, the wettability improved with the increasing of flash times.