3. High Performance Multi-functional Polymeric Materials

3.1   Flexible, transparent, conductive polymer films

We have suceeded in developing a novel reactive chemical bonding strategy for incorporation of individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes into elastomeric matrix with high mass loading of nanotubes. This effective method simultaneously targeted uniform isolation of SWNTs and robust interfacial bonding while preserving the electronic properties of SWNTs intact. We fabricated a composite with 20 wt% SWNTs loading and it exhibits as high conductivity as 9500 S m^-1.  The strategy leads to the formation of transparent thin conductive films that tolerate over 800 bending cycles at a bending angle of 180° while maintaining sheet resistance constant.

I-V curves and appearance of the transparent conductive polymer films

3.2   An Alternative to Platinum Counter Electrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

We have developed a ternary material with a core-shell structure consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid, and a conducting polymer. It was found that, when used as the counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells, the material exhibits photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as that of platinum, indicating the prepared materials can be an alternative to the costive platinum counter electrode.

Morphology and the schematic diagram of the novel polymer composites for the counter electrode of DSCs

3.3   Porous Polymer Materials as the Separator of Lithium Battery

By well controlling the crystal morphologies of polymer olefin and the biaxially stretching method, the polymer films with high porosity and narrow pore size distribution were prepared. We found that the film has low electrical resistivity and nice thermal stability. Such films may be suitable for the separator of lithium battery.

Morphology of the prepared porous polyolefin by biaxial stretched method