Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopic Studies of Molecular Motions in a Nafion® Membrane vs. Annealing Time and Temperature
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2012
School
Polymer Science and Engineering
Abstract
The dynamics of macromolecular motions as coupled to proton migration in annealed Nafion® membranes were explored at temperatures above 100 °C using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Loss permittivity vs. frequency spectra of both β and α relaxations showed increased relaxation times with annealing which was rationalized in terms of water de-sorption and diminished free volume. The α relaxation time increases with increased annealing temperature. A parameter N reflecting connectedness of charge hopping pathways was extracted and indicated that the conductivity network accumulates more charge traps, presumably due to free volume decrease, with increased annealing time. Conductivity increases with increased annealing time at all temperatures despite the decrease in N; this suggests a change in the nature of proton hopping on annealing at high temperatures to be between sulfonic acid groups rather than by hopping across H2OH+—OH2 bonds.
Publication Title
European Polymer Journal
Volume
48
Issue
4
First Page
789
Last Page
802
Recommended Citation
Hassan, M. K.,
Abukmail, A.,
Mauritz, K. A.
(2012). Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopic Studies of Molecular Motions in a Nafion® Membrane vs. Annealing Time and Temperature. European Polymer Journal, 48(4), 789-802.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/12451