On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene
When functionalized by the solid-state sulfonation process, the amorphous regions of the semi-crystalline syndiotactic-polystyrene (sPS) become hydrophilic, and thus can conduct protons upon membrane hydration, which increases the interest in this material as a potential candidate for applications w...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | Membranes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/2/143 |
| _version_ | 1797478201206767616 |
|---|---|
| author | Maria-Maddalena Schiavone Yue Zhao Hiroki Iwase Hiroshi Arima-Osonoi Shin-ichi Takata Aurel Radulescu |
| author_facet | Maria-Maddalena Schiavone Yue Zhao Hiroki Iwase Hiroshi Arima-Osonoi Shin-ichi Takata Aurel Radulescu |
| author_sort | Maria-Maddalena Schiavone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | When functionalized by the solid-state sulfonation process, the amorphous regions of the semi-crystalline syndiotactic-polystyrene (sPS) become hydrophilic, and thus can conduct protons upon membrane hydration, which increases the interest in this material as a potential candidate for applications with proton exchange membranes. The resistance of sulfonated sPS to oxidative decomposition can be improved by doping the membrane with fullerenes. In previous work, we have described the morphology in hydrated sulfonated sPS films doped with fullerenes on different length scales as determined by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and the structural changes in such membranes as a function of the degree of hydration and temperature. In the current work, we report on the relationship between the morphology of hydrated domains as obtained by SANS and the proton conductivity in sulfonated sPS-fullerene composite membranes at different temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions. Based on this combined experimental approach, clear evidence for the formation and evolution of the hydrated domains in functionalized sPS membranes has been provided and a better understanding of the hydration and conductivity pathways in this material has been obtained. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:28:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-844698c8cff1498d99a122aec5cfe39f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:28:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-844698c8cff1498d99a122aec5cfe39f2023-11-23T21:02:30ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752022-01-0112214310.3390/membranes12020143On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-PolystyreneMaria-Maddalena Schiavone0Yue Zhao1Hiroki Iwase2Hiroshi Arima-Osonoi3Shin-ichi Takata4Aurel Radulescu5Jülich Centre for Neutron Science, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 85748 Garching, GermanyDepartment of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki 370-1292, Gunma, JapanNeutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai 319-1106, Ibaraki, JapanNeutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai 319-1106, Ibaraki, JapanMaterials and Life Science Division, Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (JPARC), Tokai 319-1195, Ibaraki, JapanJülich Centre for Neutron Science, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 85748 Garching, GermanyWhen functionalized by the solid-state sulfonation process, the amorphous regions of the semi-crystalline syndiotactic-polystyrene (sPS) become hydrophilic, and thus can conduct protons upon membrane hydration, which increases the interest in this material as a potential candidate for applications with proton exchange membranes. The resistance of sulfonated sPS to oxidative decomposition can be improved by doping the membrane with fullerenes. In previous work, we have described the morphology in hydrated sulfonated sPS films doped with fullerenes on different length scales as determined by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and the structural changes in such membranes as a function of the degree of hydration and temperature. In the current work, we report on the relationship between the morphology of hydrated domains as obtained by SANS and the proton conductivity in sulfonated sPS-fullerene composite membranes at different temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions. Based on this combined experimental approach, clear evidence for the formation and evolution of the hydrated domains in functionalized sPS membranes has been provided and a better understanding of the hydration and conductivity pathways in this material has been obtained.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/2/143proton exchange membranessemi-crystalline polymerssmall-angle neutron scattering |
| spellingShingle | Maria-Maddalena Schiavone Yue Zhao Hiroki Iwase Hiroshi Arima-Osonoi Shin-ichi Takata Aurel Radulescu On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene Membranes proton exchange membranes semi-crystalline polymers small-angle neutron scattering |
| title | On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene |
| title_full | On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene |
| title_fullStr | On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene |
| title_full_unstemmed | On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene |
| title_short | On the Proton Conduction Pathways in Polyelectrolyte Membranes Based on Syndiotactic-Polystyrene |
| title_sort | on the proton conduction pathways in polyelectrolyte membranes based on syndiotactic polystyrene |
| topic | proton exchange membranes semi-crystalline polymers small-angle neutron scattering |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/2/143 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariamaddalenaschiavone ontheprotonconductionpathwaysinpolyelectrolytemembranesbasedonsyndiotacticpolystyrene AT yuezhao ontheprotonconductionpathwaysinpolyelectrolytemembranesbasedonsyndiotacticpolystyrene AT hirokiiwase ontheprotonconductionpathwaysinpolyelectrolytemembranesbasedonsyndiotacticpolystyrene AT hiroshiarimaosonoi ontheprotonconductionpathwaysinpolyelectrolytemembranesbasedonsyndiotacticpolystyrene AT shinichitakata ontheprotonconductionpathwaysinpolyelectrolytemembranesbasedonsyndiotacticpolystyrene AT aurelradulescu ontheprotonconductionpathwaysinpolyelectrolytemembranesbasedonsyndiotacticpolystyrene |