Fabrication and gas transport properties of SWNT/polyacrylic nanocomposite membranes

We demonstrate a comprehensive method for the fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite membranes containing vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes. Preparation involves hydrodynamic self-assembly of carbon nanotubes, followed by encapsulation of the oriented CNTs in an in situ polymerized polyacrylic matrix. The top surface of the polymer film is removed by plasma etching to expose the carbon nanotube tips, leading to fast gas transport rates. Because the preparation method is potentially scalable to industrial-size membranes, it offers an attractive approach in the fabrication of single walled carbon nanotube membrane platforms.