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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Hydrophobic Salt-modified Nafion for Enzyme Immobilization and Stabilization
Published on: July 11, 2012
Proton-Conducting Polymer Membrane Consisting of Cross-Linked Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with Nafion® for Fuel
Hee Jin Kim1, Krishan Talukdar2, M D Lutful Kabir2
1Research Institute of Advanced Energy Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, South Korea.
Abstract:
To increase the water retention and proton-conducting ability of Nafion®, we prepared a cross-linked polymer consisting of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and Nafion®. pHEMA was chosen as a cross-linking polymer because it produces a water-insoluble but water-swellable polymer. Although it is hydrophobic, its water-swellable characteristic means that water will not be excluded from the polymer. Introduction of pHEMA into Nafion® prevents polymer solubility and provides structural stability and rigidity, which should in turn reduce the methanol permeability. Moreover, convenient permeability of pHEMA to cations makes it a good candidate for a hydrocarbon proton-conducting polymer tuned with Nafion®.
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