[Perfluorosulfonate Ionomer] [Mixed Inorganic Oxide] Nanocomposites via Polymer In-Situ Sol-Gel Chemistry

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Department

Polymers and High Performance Materials

Abstract

[Mixed-metal oxide]/[Nafion] hybrid films were formulated via in situ sol-gel reactions for tetrabutyl titanate/tetraethoxysilane and for aluminum tri-sec-butoxide/tetraethoxysilane alkoxide pairs. Inorganic composition profiles across film thicknesses were investigated via X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy with an environmental scanning microscope. Mechanical tensile analysis was used to infer inorganic oxide nanophase/Nafion interfacial interactions, as well as interknitting of inorganic oxide nanoparticles. The TiO2 component within the titaniasilicate-filled hybrids was concentrated in glassy near-surface regions, whereas the SiO2-Al2O3 phase within aluminasilicate-filled hybrids was distributed homogeneously causing mechanical ductility. Investigations of structural topology within the inorganic oxide phases were conducted via IR and NMR spectroscopies.

Publication Title

Chemistry of Materials

Volume

7

Issue

1

First Page

192

Last Page

200

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