A Comparative Study on EB-Radiation Deterioration of Nafion Membrane in Water and Isopropanol Solvents

• Main Authors: Ji Sun Choi, Joon-Yong Sohn, Junhwa Shin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-06-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: EB (electron beam) radiation; irradiation; Nafion
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/6/5370

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of electron beam (EB) irradiation on the structure and physical properties of Nafion 117 membranes (in both acid and sodium forms) when they are irradiated in water and isopropanol as solvents. The mechanical properties of Nafion membranes in acid form irradiated in water were found to rapidly deteriorate as the irradiation dose was increased compared to those irradiated in isopropanol. It was also found that the thermal stability of the irradiated Nafion membranes decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose, especially when the Nafion membranes were irradiated in water. It was also observed that the irradiated Nafion membranes in sodium form showed higher mechanical and thermal properties than the irradiated Nafion membranes in acid form regardless of the solvent at the same irradiation dose. The ion exchange capacity of irradiated Nafion membranes was found to be somewhat unaffected compared to the mechanical properties, regardless of the solvent used.