scholarly journals Modification of Nafion Membranes by IL-Cation Exchange: Chemical Surface, Electrical and Interfacial Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Romero ◽  
M. V. Martínez de Yuso ◽  
A. Arango ◽  
E. Rodríguez-Castellón ◽  
J. Benavente

Bulk and surface changes in two proton-exchange membranes (Nafion-112 and Nafion-117) as a result of the incorporation of the IL-cationn-dodecyltriethylammonium (or DTA+) by a proton/cation exchange mechanism after immersion in a DTA+aqueous solution were analysed by impedance spectroscopy (IS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurements performed with dry samples of the original Nafion and Nafion-DTA+-modified membranes. Only slight differences were obtained in the incorporation degree and surface chemical nature depending on the membrane thickness, and DTA+incorporation modified both the hydrophobic character of the original Nafion membranes and their thermal stability. Electrical characterization of the dry Nafion-112 membrane was performed by impedance spectroscopy while different HCl solutions were used for membrane potential measurements. A study of time evolution of the impedance curves measured in the system “IL aqueous solution/Nafion-112 membrane/IL aqueous solution” was also performed. This study allows us monitoring the electrical changes associated to the IL-cation incorporation in both the membrane and the membrane/IL solution interface, and it provides supplementary information on the characteristic of the Nafion/DTA+hybrid material. Moreover, the results also show the significant effect of water on the electrical resistance of the Nafion-112/IL-cation-modified membrane.

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1805-1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Fusalba ◽  
Daniel Bélanger

A novel polyaniline-molybdenum trisulfide composite has been prepared by chemical polymerization from an acidic (1 M HCl) aqueous solution containing aniline and ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. The presence of molybdenum trisulfide in the polyaniline matrix induces morphological change to the polymer as evidenced by scanning electron micrographs. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry indicate that polyaniline-molybdenum trisulfide is slightly less crystalline than polyaniline-HCl. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis have been used to confirm the presence of molybdenum trisulfide in the polymer matrix. The XPS data also confirm that molybdenum trisulfide and tetrathiomolybdate anions are present with polyaniline to form a new inorganic-organic composite.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Guccini ◽  
Annika Carlson ◽  
Shun Yu ◽  
Göran Lindbergh ◽  
Rakel Wreland Lindström ◽  
...  

The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in-situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 µmol g<sup>-1</sup>), counterion (H<sup>+</sup>or Na<sup>+</sup>), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95 %). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH as measured by Small Angle X-ray scattering shows that water channels are formed only above 75 % RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (Na<sup>+</sup>or H<sup>+</sup>). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm<sup>-1</sup>at 30 °C between 65 and 95 % RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being ≈ 30 % thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.<br>


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1173
Author(s):  
Fotini Martsouka ◽  
Konstantinos Papagiannopoulos ◽  
Sophia Hatziantoniou ◽  
Martin Barlog ◽  
Giorgos Lagiopoulos ◽  
...  

Six pharmaceutical pastes were prepared using chemically modified kaolin and talc powders. Tests were conducted to determine their structural and chemical characteristics as well as their antimicrobial protection, thus rendering them suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. Kaolin and talc were treated chemically via the cation exchange method to load the clay particles with copper and zinc ions, two cations well known for their antimicrobial properties. Mineralogical analyses were conducted by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) before and after the modification, confirming the mineralogical purity of the samples. Scanning electron microscopy was also used in conjunction with energy dispersed spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to obtain chemical mapping images, revealing the dispersion of the added metals upon the clay minerals surfaces. Moreover, chemical analysis has been performed (XRF) to validate the enrichment of the clays with each metal utilizing the cation exchange capacity. All modified samples showed the expected elevated concentration in copper or zinc in comparison to their unmodified versions. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the chemical state of the samples’ surfaces was investigated, revealing the presence of salt compounds and indicating the oxidation state of adsorbed metals. Finally, the resistance of pastes in microbial growth when challenged with bacteria, molds, and yeasts was assessed. The evaluation is based on the European Pharmacopeia (EP) criteria.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Marino ◽  
Juan Basbus ◽  
Ana L. Larralde ◽  
Jose Antonio Alonso ◽  
Maria Teresa Fernandez-Diaz ◽  
...  

This work presents the results of the structural characterization of LaSrGa1-xMgxO4-δ oxides with x=0.0-0.2 (LSGM'); these oxides with layered K2NiF4-type structure are potential electrolytes of oxygen ions with applications in...


2021 ◽  
pp. 002199832199945
Author(s):  
Jong H Eun ◽  
Bo K Choi ◽  
Sun M Sung ◽  
Min S Kim ◽  
Joon S Lee

In this study, carbon/epoxy composites were manufactured by coating with a polyamide at different weight percentages (5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.%) to improve their impact resistance and fracture toughness. The chemical reaction between the polyamide and epoxy resin were examined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanical properties and fracture toughness of the carbon/epoxy composites were analyzed. The mechanical properties of the carbon/epoxy composites, such as transverse flexural tests, longitudinal flexural tests, and impact tests, were investigated. After the impact tests, an ultrasonic C-scan was performed to reveal the internal damage area. The interlaminar fracture toughness of the carbon/epoxy composites was measured using a mode I test. The critical energy release rates were increased by 77% compared to the virgin carbon/epoxy composites. The surface morphology of the fractured surface was observed. The toughening mechanism of the carbon/epoxy composites was suggested based on the confirmed experimental data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shafiq Ishak ◽  
Soumen Mandal ◽  
Han-Seung Lee ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Singh

AbstractLauric acid (LA) has been recommended as economic, eco-friendly, and commercially viable materials to be used as phase change materials (PCMs). Nevertheless, there is lack of optimized parameters to produce microencapsulated PCMs with good performance. In this study, different amounts of LA have been chosen as core materials while tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the precursor solution to form silicon dioxide (SiO2) shell. The pH of precursor solution was kept at 2.5 for all composition of microencapsulated LA. The synthesized microencapsulated LA/SiO2 has been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM and TEM confirm the microencapsulation of LA with SiO2. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed better thermal stability of microencapsulated LA/SiO2 compared to pure LA. PCM with 50% LA i.e. LAPC-6 exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (96.50%) and encapsulation ratio (96.15%) through Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as well as good thermal reliability even after 30th cycle of heating and cooling process.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyob Wondu ◽  
Hyun Woo Oh ◽  
Jooheon Kim

In this study water-soluble polyurethane (WSPU) was synthesized from isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), 2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid or dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), butane-1,4-diol (BD), and triethylamine (TEA) using an acetone process. The water solubility was investigated by solubilizing the polymer in water and measuring the contact angle and the results indicated that water solubility and contact angle tendency were increased as the molecular weight of the soft segment decreased, the amount of emulsifier was increased, and soft segment to hard segment ratio was lower. The contact angle of samples without emulsifier was greater than 87°, while that of with emulsifier was less than 67°, indicating a shift from highly hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The WSPU was also analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to identify the absorption of functional groups and further checked by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The molecular weight of WSPU was measured using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The structure of the WSPU was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The thermal properties of WSPU were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).


Author(s):  
T. Romero ◽  
W. Me´rida

Transient water transport experiments on Nafion of different thicknesses were carried out in the temperature range of 30 to 70 °C. These experiments report on water transport measurements under activity gradients in the time domain for liquid and vapour equilibrated Nafion membranes. Using a permeability test rig with a gated valve, the water crossover was measured as a function of time. The typical response is shown as a time dependent flux, and it shows the dynamic transport from an initially dry condition up to the final steady state. Contrarily to previous reports from dynamic water transport measurements, where the activity gradient across the membrane is absent; in this work, the membrane was subjected to an activity gradient acting as the driving force to transport water from an environment with higher water activity to an environment with lower water activity through the membrane’s structure. Measurements explored temperature and membrane thickness variation effect on the transient response. Results showed dependency on temperature and a slower water transport rate across the vapour-membrane interface than for the liquid-membrane interface. These measurements showed the transport dependency on water content at the beginning of the experiment when the membrane was in a close-to-dry condition suggesting a transport phenomenon transition due to a reached critical water content value. The new protocol for transient measurements proposed here will allow the characterization of water transport dependency on membrane water content with a more rational representation of the membrane-environment interface.


2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 2504-2511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele T. Dias ◽  
Guy Lopes ◽  
Tales Ferreira ◽  
Ivanir L. Oliveira ◽  
Caroline D. Rosa

The Nafion membranes are widely used in electrochemical applications such as fuel cells, chlor-alkali cells, and actuators–sensors. In this work, the thermal-optical characterization of Nafion in acid form was performed by photoacoustic spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. In the experimental procedure three distinct hydration levels were considered: (1) pristine membrane (λ ≅ H2O/–SO3H ≅ 5.6); (2) swelling process (λ ≅ 17.4); and (3) drying at controlled room temperature after swelling process (λ ≅ 6.5). The discovered behaviors showed significant irreversible structural changes induced by water retention in the membrane. These structural changes depend on the water population present in the clusters and also affect the directional thermal diffusivity of the membrane irreversibly.


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