Fabrication and Characterization of Conductive Nanofiber-Based Composite Membranes

Cross-linked electrospun fiber mats of highly sulfonated polystyrene were combined with a polymer matrix to fabricate nanofiber-based composite membranes and characterized. In-plane conductivity of the membrane was controlled by varying the concentration of fiber mats in polymer matrix. Unlike dispersing acidic particles in polymer matrix, the electrospun fiber mats are always percolated; hence, this morphology helps achieve high conductivities across the membrane, and the variation in conductivity with respect to fiber loading is practically linear. The cross-linked fiber mats were subjected to sonication to chop the fiber mat to short fibers that can conceivably be dispersed and aligned in a polymer matrix to achieve bulk conductivity through the membranes.