Quantum beam techniques for synthesis and analysis of proton/anion-exchange membranes for fuel cells

前川 康成

no journal, , 

Radiation-induced grafting technique was applied to the development of proton- and anion-conducting electrolyte membranes (PEM and AEM) for hydrogen- and alkaline hydrated hydrazine-fuel cells. The graft-type PEM and AEM could solve the currently most concerned problems, conductivity and mechanical properties at low and high relative humidities (RH), respectively for a PEM and alkaline durability for a AEM. The hierarchical structures of ETFE-PEM and ETFE-AEM were investigated using small angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS). The grafted ETFE membranes were characterized as being composed of conducting graft domains around ETFE lamellar crystals with a period of 20-30 nm and well-connected crystallite network domains with a d-range of 200-300 nm. The well-connected ion-channels around ETFE lamellar crystals and crystallite domains should be origin of high conductivity and mechanical properties of both graft-type PEM and AEM.