Spectroscopic investigations into degradation of polymer membranes for fuel cells applications

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2008 May;69(5):1337-43. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2007.09.046. Epub 2007 Oct 7.

Abstract

The research was focused on synthesis of proton conductive, easily degradable polymer membranes, which can be used as a model system to verify the efficiency of transition metal ions (TMI) in prevention of polymer degradation. Two polymers composed of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), and styrenesulfonic acid (SS) were synthesized. The copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), elementary analysis, and FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopies. The results allowed determination of weight-average molecular weight and the copolymer composition. The protons of sulfonic groups were substituted by paramagnetic transition metal ions of various spin states (Cr(3+), S=3/2 and Mn(2+), S=5/2) with the loading varying from 0.5 up to 10 mol%. The effectiveness of spin catalysis was checked by EPR. The results obtained indicate enhancement of polymer stability in the presence of Mn(2+).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / chemistry
  • Alkanesulfonates / chemistry
  • Cations / chemistry
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Fluorescence Polarization
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Sulfonic Acids / chemistry
  • Thermogravimetry

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • Alkanesulfonates
  • Cations
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Methacrylates
  • Polymers
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate
  • hydroxyethyl methacrylate
  • styrenesulfonic acid polymer