Characterization and transport properties of Nafion/polyaniline composite membranes

Nafion membranes were modified by chemical polymerization of aniline using ammonium peroxodisulfate as the oxidant. The Nafion-polyaniline composite membranes were extensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared (FTIR-ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and ion-exchange capacity measurements. The transport properties were also evaluated by conductivity and electrodialysis measurements. The data show that when a high oxidant concentration (1 M (NH4)2S2O8) is used, polyaniline is mostly formed at the surface of the Nafion membrane with a higher proportion of oligomers. On the contrary, when 0.1 M oxidant is used, polyaniline is mostly formed inside the ionic domains of Nafion, blocking the pathway to ion transport and thus reducing the transport of Zn2+ as well as the transport of H+. These data were also compared to the data obtained with poly(styrene sulfonate)-PANI composite membranes.