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Transport properties of blended sulfonated poly(styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) and isopropyl phosphate membranes
Author(s) -
RuizColón Eduardo,
PérezPérez Maritza,
Suleiman David
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.47009
Subject(s) - membrane , styrene , thermal stability , polymer chemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , solvent , phosphate , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , copolymer , composite material , biochemistry , engineering
Abstract This work discusses the effect of isopropyl phosphate (IP) on the transport properties of sulfonated poly(styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) (SO 3 H SIBS) as membranes for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and chemical and biological protective clothing (CBPC) applications. The properties were determined as a function of SIBS sulfonation level (i.e., 24, 34, 49, and 84 mol %) and IP loading (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 11, and 15 wt %). A comprehensive material characterization study (e.g. , FTIR, TGA, AFM, and SAXS) was performed to confirm the presence of the phosphate groups in the polymer matrix, assess the thermal stability of the proton‐exchange membranes (PEMs), and understand how the unique interactions between the phosphate and sulfonic groups influenced the nanostructure of SO 3 H SIBS. The transport properties, water absorption capabilities (i.e. , swelling ratio, water uptake, etc.), oxidative stability, and ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) were performed to evaluate the impact of IP on the properties of the resulting solvent‐casted membranes. Results suggest that the morphology, thermal stability, and vapor permeability are governed by the sulfonation level, whereas the IEC, oxidative stability, water absorption capabilities, and the rest of the transport properties are dominated by the ionic content (i.e. , sulfonic and phosphate groups) and their synergistic effects. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47009.