Influence of the initial fluoropolymer in polystyrene sulfonic acid containing radiation-grafted membranes

摘要

Radiation-grafted membranes have been much investigated as potential polymer electrolytes for fuel cells. The appeal of this approach lies in the flexibility of the process and in the low costs involved. Typically a starting material is chosen, irradiated, grafted with styrene and then sulfonated. The properties of the membranes are studied as a function of the amount of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) added. However, as the preparation conditions vary from case to case it is impossible to compare results and the influence of the initial fluoropolymer is unclear.