While preparing the catalyst, we are using a mixture of nafion solution and ethanol-water, and after drop casting in carbon cloth, we found that the surface becomes hydrophobic.
Prior to drop casting, the carbon cloth was made hydrophilic using an acid mixture. Furthermore, without using any catalyst, I drop casted nafion over hydrophillic carbon cloth and dried it at 60 C and found that the surface becomes hydrophobic and hence came to a conclusion that, nafion is playing a negative role.
So, is there any other binder which we can use?
It seems that the presence of Nafion in your catalyst preparation is causing the surface to become hydrophobic. Nafion is known to have hydrophobic properties, which can explain the observed behavior.
Regarding alternative binders, there are many options available, depending on the specific application and requirements. Some common binders used in catalyst preparation include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). These binders can be mixed with the catalyst material and then drop cast onto the substrate.
However, it's essential to consider the compatibility of the binder with your catalyst and substrate, as well as its thermal stability, mechanical properties, and its impact on the performance of the final product. It's also crucial to optimize the amount and concentration of the binder to achieve the desired properties.
Therefore, I recommend conducting a thorough literature review and consulting with experts in your field to determine the most appropriate binder for your application.
I have used sulphonated polysulphone (SPS) and I found very good results.
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