Correlation between morphology, water uptake, and proton conductivity in radiation-grafted proton-exchange membranes

Balog, Sandor; Gasser, Urs; Mortensen, Kell; Gubler, Lorenz; Scherer, Guenther G.; Ben Youcef, Hicham

doi:10.1002/macp.200900503

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Journal article

Correlation between morphology, water uptake, and proton conductivity in radiation-grafted proton-exchange membranes

Balog, Sandor Laboratory for Neutron Scattering, ETH Zurich & Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
Gasser, Urs Laboratory for Neutron Scattering, ETH Zurich & Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland - Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Mortensen, Kell Department of Natural Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
Gubler, Lorenz Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
Scherer, Guenther G. Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
Ben Youcef, Hicham Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland

07.01.2010

Published in:

Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. - 2010, vol. 211, no. 6, p. 635-643

small-angle neutron scattering

English An SANS investigation of hydrated proton exchange membranes is presented. Our membranes were synthesized by radiation-induced grafting of ETFE with styrene in the presence of a crosslinker, followed by sulfonation of the styrene. The contrast variation method was used to understand the relationship between morphology, water uptake, and proton conductivity. The membranes are separated into two phases. The amorphous phase hosts the water and swells upon hydration, swelling being inversely proportional to the degree of crosslinking. Hydration and proton conductivity exhibit linear dependence on swelling. Proton conductivity and volumetric fraction of water are related by a power law, indicating a percolated network of finely dispersed aqueous pores in the hydrophilic domains.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

AMI - Soft Nanoscience

Language