#nafion

Self-folding origami: Chemical programming allows Nafion sheets to fold and refold

Plastic with a thousand faces: A single piece of Nafion foil makes it possible to produce a broad palette of complex 3D structures. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, researchers describe how they use simple chemical "programming" to induce the foil to fold itself using origami and kirigami principles. These folds can be repeatedly "erased" and the foil can be "reprogrammed".

We have all seen the cranes and lotus flowers produced from a sheet of paper by practiced hands. Origami is the traditional Japanese art of folding that transforms paper into complex three-dimensional structures without the use of adhesive. Kirigami is a related technique in which the paper is strategically cut before folding. Both of these techniques have found application in modern technology.

Adebola Oyefusi and Jian Chen from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (USA) have now presented a new variation on this technique. They chemically "programmed" Nafion foil so that heat causes it to fold itself into complex three-dimensional forms. The foil can also be "deprogrammed". Nafion is a polymer that can "remember" its shape, so that a stretched piece of foil will return to its initial form upon heating.

Novel biocompatible hybrid hydrogels with impressive mechanical properties

For the first time ever a family of hydrogels has been created, with unique properties that allow them to be utilised in biological applications. The work, recently published in Polymer, could herald the introduction of a novel class of bio-inks or drug delivery vehicles.

Hydrogels are networks of cross-linked macromolecular chains that have a highly porous structure enabling them to become swollen with water. They are soft structures with often complex viscoelastic properties that can be fine-tuned by adapting their chemical components and their cross-linking density. In this manner, they can be adapted to sense and adjust to changes in their environment, such as temperature, pH, pressure, light, or even the presence of other chemicals.

A well-known family of hydrogels based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) copolymers were combined with a mechanically robust polymer known as Nafion. The properties of the novel polymer complexes were revealed by a host of techniques, including Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) at the Small Angle Scattering and Diffraction beamline (I22) at Diamond Light Source. The addition of Nafion was shown to dramatically improve the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, making them a promising candidate for a variety of applications such as drug-release systems and 3-D-bioprinting.

Paper documents self-healing membrane for fuel cell applications

Fuel cells are energy efficient and clean. However, a major challenge to commercialization of this technology is the durability of a vital component of each cell, the membrane, which is typically made from a polymer called Nafion. During fuel cell operation, the membrane undergoes chemical and mechanical degradation, leading to cracks and pinholes that shorten its life.

To address this issue, three members of the University of Delaware's Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajay Prasad, Liang Wang and Suresh Advani, have developed a self-healing membrane incorporating microcapsules prefilled with a Nafion solution. The work is reported in a paper published in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society. A patent application has also been filed.

"The microcapsules are designed to rupture when they encounter defects in the membrane and then release the prefilled Nafion solution to heal the defects in place," Wang explains.

Durability testing of the developed membrane has confirmed that the self-healing functionality could greatly extend its useful life.

Nafion Market Size:

The Nafion Market size is growing with a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period (2025-2032), and the market is projected to be valued at USD 1.35 Billion by 2032 from USD 0.92 Billion in 2024. Additionally, the market value for 2025 is attributed to USD 0.97 Billion.

Nafion Market Scope & Overview:

Nafion is a brand name for sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer. It is a synthetic fluoropolymer distinguished due to its properties such as ion-conducting. This material belongs to the ionomers class. It showcases features such as a Teflon-like backbone with sulfonic acid side chains that enables the transport of positive ions efficiently. It also shows a strong chemical stability due to its fluorinated structure. This fluorinated structure allows it to withstand harsh environments. Similarly, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer finds its usage in diverse applications. Primary applications are in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, chlor-alkali electrolysis, and gas humidification. Based on the form category, the market is further sub categorized into membrane, dispersion and resin.

This trajectory is fueled by a global shift toward decarbonization and the increasing technical requirements of high-precision industries. Nafion, a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for ion-exchange membranes. Its unique molecular architecture—combining a hydrophobic Teflon-like backbone with hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups—allows for exceptional proton conductivity and chemical stability. These intrinsic properties are making it indispensable in the transition toward sustainable energy and high-performance manufacturing

Nafion Market Set to Expand Rapidly with Rising Demand from Industrial and Scientific Applications by 2032

The industrial landscape is witnessing a surge in Nafion adoption, particularly within the chlor-alkali industry and specialized scientific sectors. In chemical manufacturing, Nafion membranes are critical for the production of chlorine and caustic soda. Unlike older diaphragm or mercury cell technologies, membrane-based electrolysis using the Nafion Market solutions offers superior energy efficiency and a significantly lower environmental footprint. This segment currently accounts for over 60% of global consumption, as industrial plants modernize to meet stricter environmental regulations and energy efficiency targets.

Beyond heavy chemicals, scientific and analytical applications are expanding the market’s horizon. Nafion's selective permeability is utilized in gas drying and humidification systems for laboratory and medical instrumentation. Its ability to remove water vapor from gas streams without losing the analyte of interest makes it a preferred material for high-accuracy sensors and environmental monitoring equipment. As scientific research into "lab-on-a-chip" platforms and bioelectronic systems grows, the Nafion Market role as a provider of biocompatible, conductive interfaces is expected to drive further volume growth through 2032.

Nafion Market Witnessing Strong Growth Driven by Advancements in Precision ElectronicsThrough 2032

The electronics sector, particularly semiconductor manufacturing, is emerging as a high-value growth driver for the Nafion Market. In the fabrication of advanced microchips, ultra-high-purity chemicals are a prerequisite. Nafion-based materials are increasingly employed in the filtration and purification processes of corrosive acids and solvents used in wafer etching. The polymer’s resilience to harsh chemical environments ensures that purity levels are maintained, preventing defects in nanometer-scale electronic components.

The rise of AI and data center infrastructure has also created a demand for sophisticated cooling and sensor solutions within the Nafion Market. Recent developments in electronic sensing often rely on Nafion thin-films to create highly sensitive moisture and gas sensors. By 2032, the integration of ion-exchange resins and Nafion coatings in precision sensors and wearable electronics will likely solidify the electronics industry as a primary pillar of market expansion. This "precision demand" is pushing manufacturers to innovate thinner, more durable films that offer higher power density and faster response times in micro-electrochemical systems.

The Green Hydrogen Catalyst and Energy Storage Evolution

While industrial and electronic applications provide a stable foundation, the most explosive growth segment remains the energy sector. The global push for green hydrogen has placed Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers at the center of the energy transition. Nafion is the primary electrolyte used in these systems to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. With global hydrogen production capacity expected to scale significantly over the next decade, the demand for high-performance membranes is reaching unprecedented levels.

In addition to production, Nafion is a key component in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and stationary power systems. The ability of Nafion to facilitate efficient proton transport at relatively low temperatures allows FCEVs to offer longer ranges and faster refueling times compared to traditional battery-electric vehicles. As governments worldwide provide subsidies for hydrogen infrastructure and net-zero initiatives, the market is poised to benefit from a synergistic cycle of technological advancement and economies of scale.

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Nafion Market: Future Strategies, Growth & Profit Analysis and Forecast by 2030

Fact.MR has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach to shed light on the evolution of the global Nafion market during the historical period of 2015– 2019. The global nafion market is poised to witness a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period (2020 to 2030), and be valued close to US$ 1.3 Bn by 2030 end. Extensive rounds of primary and comprehensive secondary research have been leveraged by the…

Nafion Market Envisaged to Record a CAGR of over 6% During 2020-2030

Fact.MR has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach to shed light on the evolution of the global Nafion market during the historical period of 2015– 2019. The Nafion market study includes a thorough analysis of the overall competitive landscape and the company profiles of leading market players involved in the global Nafion market. Further, the presented study offers accurate insights pertaining to…

Self-folding origami: Chemical programming allows Nafion sheets to fold and refold

phys.org – Plastic with a thousand faces: A single piece of Nafion foil makes it possible to produce a broad palette of complex 3D structures. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, researchers describe how they u…

Sharks have the surprising ability of electroreception – able to detect very weak electric fields produced by other animals, allowing them to expertly hunt and find mates. This is done through the ampullae of Lorenzini, small, interconnected pores filled with a viscous jelly around the head and underside of sharks, skates and rays.

This was first discovered in 1678 by Stefano Lorenzini, although the exact nature of how sharks are able to detect electric signals has yet to be fully understood. However, a joint team from the University of California Santa Cruz, the University of Washington, USA, and the Benaroya Research Institute investigated the jelly and discovered that it has proton conductivity.

In technological applications, proton conductors can be used as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells, such as in Nafion, a current proton-conducting polymer. The ampullae jelly shows the highest proton conductivity reported for a biological material, and is said to be only 40 times less conductive than Nafion.