Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Tracking water's response to structural changes in Nafion membranes.

David E Moilanen1, Ivan R Piletic, M D Fayer

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A
|July 21, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Water molecule environments in Nafion membranes change with water content, affecting polymer structure. This study reveals distinct water populations and their reorganization, crucial for understanding ion conduction in fuel cells.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Role of Perfluorinated Acyl Fluoride Hydrolysis in Regional-Scale Model Predictions of Per- and Polyfluoralkyl Substance (PFAS) Chemistry, Transport, and Fate.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

Role of chemical production and depositional losses on formaldehyde in the Community Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Multiphase Mechanism (CRACMM).

Atmospheric chemistry and physics·2025
Same author

Linking gas, particulate, and toxic endpoints to air emissions in the Community Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Multiphase Mechanism (CRACMM).

Atmospheric chemistry and physics·2025
Same author

Sensitivity of northeastern US surface ozone predictions to the representation of atmospheric chemistry in the Community Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Multiphase Mechanism (CRACMMv1.0).

Atmospheric chemistry and physics·2024
Same author

Rates and Yields of Unimolecular Reactions Producing Highly Oxidized Peroxy Radicals in the OH-Induced Autoxidation of α-Pinene, β-Pinene, and Limonene.

The journal of physical chemistry. A·2022
Same author

Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Atmospherically Relevant Monoterpene-Derived Organic Nitrates.

Environmental science & technology·2021

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Nafion membranes are crucial proton exchange membranes in fuel cells.
  • Water content significantly influences Nafion's structure and properties.
  • Understanding water's local environment is key to optimizing membrane performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how water content alters the local environments of water molecules within Nafion.
  • To correlate structural changes with water content using spectroscopic methods.
  • To elucidate the role of water in Nafion's interfacial properties and ion conduction.

Main Methods:

  • Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used to analyze water molecule vibrations.
  • Vibrational excited state population relaxation times (lifetimes) of hydroxyl stretch in HOD:H2O were measured.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of IR spectra and lifetimes as a function of membrane water content.

    • Main Results:

    • IR spectra suggest a two-environment model for water in Nafion (bulk-like and polymer-associated).
    • A distinct population of non-hydrogen-bonded water at the polymer interface was identified and quantified.
    • Significant reorganization of the interfacial region occurs above the ion conduction threshold.
    • Vibrational lifetimes indicate multiple water ensembles whose characteristics change with water content.

    Conclusions:

    • Nafion's water environments are complex and dynamic, changing significantly with hydration levels.
    • The study provides insights into water structuring at the polymer-water interface, impacting ion transport.
    • Findings are critical for designing advanced membranes for electrochemical energy applications.