Influence of pre-irradiation atmosphere on the properties of polymer electrolyte membranes prepared using radiation grafting method

The influence of pre-irradiation atmosphere, argon and air, on radiation grafting of styrene into poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films and the properties of the ETFE-based radiation-grafted polymer electrolyte membranes were investigated. The preparation and properties of the membranes were found to be strongly influenced by the γ-ray pre-irradiation atmosphere. The proton conductivity was measured in its water-saturated state at 25 °C, and the membrane durability was tested in a 3% H₂O₂ aqueous solution at 60 °C. The proton conductivity of the membrane prepared by pre-irradiation under air was higher than that of the membrane prepared under argon with the same ion exchange capacity level. However, the durability of the former was considerably lower than that of the latter. For instance, the membrane with an ion exchange capacity of about 1.0 mmol g⁻¹ prepared under argon was twice as durable as that prepared under air. It was considered that the lower durability of the membrane prepared by pre-irradiation under air was because of the unstable ether bond introduced between the graft chains and the backbone chains.