Membranes of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes in Chitosan–Starch with Mechanical and Compositional Properties Useful in Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

This work reports on membranes of a combination of chitosan–starch with lithium-modified multiwall carbon nanotubes. One of the most important contributions of this article is the functionalization of the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes by means of an accessible technique that allows for high grafting yields of lithium and their incorporation into a polymeric matrix. The natural compounds chitosan and starch were used as a support to embed the nanotubes, forming membranes with good mechanical stability. A thorough characterization via Raman, infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, transmission and scanning electron microscopies and dynamic mechanical analysis is presented here, as well as electrochemical characterization. The composition, structure and mechanical stability of the membranes make them viable candidates to be used as anodes sustainable Li-ion batteries.

Keywords

• lithium grafting
• mechanical stability
• composite membrane
• lithium-ion battery
• multiwall carbon nanotubes
• chitosan–starch