Preparation of polymer electrolyte membranes based on nylon -xylene diamine-6 by ion-beam-induced graft polymerization

Suzuki, Yasuyuki; Yamaki, Tetsuya; Asano, Masaharu; Yoshida, Masaru

We prepared polymer electrolyte membranes by the ion-beam-induced graft polymerization of sodium -styrenesulfonate (SSS) into nylon -xylene diamine-6 (NMXD6) films. The grafting yield was controlled by adjusting the grafting conditions such as reaction times, temperatures, ion species and fluences of the pre-irradiated ions. The membranes prepared at 50 and 60C exhibited homogeneous distribution of sulfonic acid groups across their transverse plane. The proton conductivity of the wet membranes at room temperature ranged from 0.0021 to 0.054 S/cm in the direction of thickness, depending on their ion exchange capacity.