Vega-Avila, Ana L.

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Polyacrilonitrile carbon nanotubes (PANCNT) nanocomposites for bio fuel cells cathode
(2011) Vega-Avila, Ana L.; Valentín, Ricky; College of Engineering; Singh, Surinder; Caceres, Pablo; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Monroig, Francisco M.
This thesis presents the morphological and electrochemical characterization of composite membranes prepared from Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), and Catalase composites for applications as bioelectrodes in fuel cells. The composite membranes were prepared by solvent casting and electrospinning. We have studied the effect of processing parameters and the concentration of carbon nanotubes in the morphological characteristics and electrochemical response of the bioelectrode. The electrochemical characterization was conducted using cyclic voltammetry, while morphological characterization of the membranes was performed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The enzymatic loading in the electrode was measured using Bradford method. Catalase was immobilized by covalent bonding and the electrochemical response of the bioelectrodes was tested in presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The electrochemical characterization allows concluding that electrospun fibers with concentrations of 5% and 2% of MWCNT are the best material of the evaluated to be used as bioelectrodes supports.