Effect of free radical-induced degradation on water permeation through PFSA ionomer membranes

摘要

The effects of chemical degradation, induced by Fenton's reagent reaction, upon water transport properties of Nafion (R) NR211 membranes are reported. Exposure to free radicals generated using Fenton's reagent causes morphological and structural changes to the membrane that exert a strong effect on transport properties. Liquid liquid permeation (LLP), liquid vapour permeation (LVP) and vapour vapour permeation (VVP) measurements indicate that water permeability increases for degraded membranes as a result of enhanced water sorption (under both partially and fully hydrated conditions). Similarly, a higher water content is responsible for an increase in proton mobility; despite the observation that IEC and proton conductivity decrease. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.