Open AccessSulfonated gamma‐irradiated blend poly(styrene/ethylene‐vinyl acetate) membrane and their electrical properties
Author(s) -
Ghobashy Mohamed Mohamady,
Khozemey Ehab
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advances in polymer technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.523
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1098-2329
pISSN - 0730-6679
DOI - 10.1002/adv.21781
Subject(s) - materials science , miscibility , crystallinity , polystyrene , ethylene vinyl acetate , vinyl acetate , membrane , irradiation , polymer blend , styrene , polymer , composite material , scanning electron microscope , polymer chemistry , polyethylene , chemical engineering , polyethylene terephthalate , copolymer , physics , biology , nuclear physics , engineering , genetics
A compatibilized blend membrane of polystyrene ( PS )/polyethylene‐vinyl acetate ( PEVA ) (50: 50) wt % was produced by compression molded at 180°C after irradiated by gamma ray at 50‐kGy dose. The influence of gamma radiation on the properties of the blend ( PS / PEVA ) membrane was investigated. The irradiated samples showed an increase in the degree of crystallinity due to the presence of additional chemical bonds as observed by X‐ray diffraction. As a result of irradiation, the miscibility of the two polymer matrix is enhanced by interfacial adhesion between the components in the blend polymer without any voids as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, electrical conductivity in the blend ( PS / PEVA ) membrane was enhanced by introducing SO 3 H groups. Sulfonation process converts the blend from noncontact (5 × 10 −8 S cm −1 ) to semi‐contact (3.8 × 10 −3 S cm −1 ) by AC current at wet condition, and this can find applications in the fuel cells.