Correlation between Morphology, Water Uptake, and Proton Conductivity in Radiation-Grafted Proton-Exchange Membranes

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Sandor Balog
  • Urs Gasser
  • Mortensen, Kell
  • Lorenz Gubler
  • Gunther G. Scherrer
  • Hicham Ben youcef
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.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Volume211
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)635-643
Number of pages9
ISSN1022-1352
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2010

ID: 32143706