Effects of γ-ray irradiation on electrical and physico-chemical properties of sulfonated PVDF-HFP/1H-1,2,4-triazole proton conducting membranes

• Published in: International Journal of Electrochemical Science
• Main Author: Lepit A.; Yahya M.Z.A.; Aini N.A.; Jaafar N.K.; Ali A.M.M.; Dahlan K.Z.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84865087608&partnerID=40&md5=45e1e1c170eb55a0d4141c5a8523b6e2

A new material for proton conducting electrolyte base on sulfonated poly(vinylidene flouridehexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)/1H-1,2,4-Triazole (TriA) membrane operating at low relative humidity and has capability to self-humidify were investigated. Different concentrations of TriA and sulfamic or amidosulfonic acid (H3NSO3) in PVDF-HFP were prepared. The pores of a porous PVDFHFP were packed with proton carrier, TriA and sulfamic acid (SFA). The samples were then exposed to γ-rays of up to 50 kGy. The effects of high energy g-rays irradiation onto these proton conducting membranes have been observed. The surface morphology was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ionic conductivity of the irradiated membrane was determined using impedance spectroscopy (IS) at different temperatures between 30 oC and 100 oC. The results showed that the pores membranes shrinkage after irradiation and proton conductivity of the membrane increased when the absorbed dose up to 30 kGy and after which the proton conductivity decreased with increasing of absorbed dose.