Characterization, nanostructure, and transport properties of styrene grafted PVA/SiO2 hybrid nanocomposite membranes: Positron lifetime study

Gamma radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of styrene monomer on a polyvinyl alcohol film has successfully prepared a proton exchange membrane based on polyvinyl alcohol/silicon nanoparticles (PVA/SiO2), for use in fuel cells. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared hybrid nanocompo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers for advanced technologies 2021-04, Vol.32 (4), p.1742-1751
Main Authors: Awad, Somia, Alomari, Ali H., Abdel‐Hady, Esam E., Hamam, Mai F. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemical properties
Copolymerization
Electrochemical analysis
free volume
fuel cell
Fuel cells
Gamma irradiation
Gamma rays
Graft copolymers
Hardness tests
Hole size
hybrid nanocomposite membranes
Infrared spectrometers
Ion exchange
Membranes
Nanocomposites
Nanoparticles
Physical properties
Polyvinyl alcohol
Positron annihilation
proton conductivity
Protons
Radiation dosage
Silicon dioxide
Styrenes
Transport properties
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Summary:Gamma radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of styrene monomer on a polyvinyl alcohol film has successfully prepared a proton exchange membrane based on polyvinyl alcohol/silicon nanoparticles (PVA/SiO2), for use in fuel cells. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared hybrid nanocomposite membranes were examined by the Fourier transformer infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and the hardness test. The electrochemical properties were studied as a function of the degree of grafting at different doses of gamma irradiation. Ion exchange capacity (IEC) was found to improve with rising in the degree of grafting and then slightly decrease because of styrene homo‐polymerizes as the dose of gamma irradiation intensifies. As the graft grade increases, the proton's conductivity rises to 30% of the degree of grafting and then begins to stabilize. The free volume hole size obtained from positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) experiments was found to increase by the further accumulation of the styrene graft content. The results of PAL support electrochemical results. Also, a strong link between the results of nanoscopic properties from PAL, and the results of chemical and physical properties (macroscopic results) has been successfully established. The prepared PVA/SiO2‐grafted sulfonated styrene seems to be a potential alternative to Nafion for fuel cell applications.
ISSN:1042-7147
1099-1581
DOI:10.1002/pat.5210