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Understanding Water Uptake and Transport in Nafion Using X-ray Microtomography.
Gi Suk Hwang1, Dilworth Y Parkinson2, Ahmet Kusoglu2
1Environmental Energy Technologies Division and ‡Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California, 94720, United States.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 18, 2022
Summary
Understanding ionomer structure is key for development. Synchrotron X-ray microtomography reveals detailed water distribution in Nafion membranes, showing nonlinear profiles and the impact of interfaces on water transport.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Optimizing ionomers, like Nafion, requires understanding their structure-function relationships.
- Experimental data on water distribution within ionomers is crucial for material development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate water distribution within Nafion, a widely used ionomer.
- To correlate water distribution with transport properties and interfacial effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing synchrotron X-ray microtomography for high-resolution imaging.
- Achieving simultaneous high spatial (∼1 μm) and temporal (∼10 min) resolution.
Main Results:
- Observed a nonlinear water profile across the Nafion membrane thickness.
- Demonstrated a continuous transition in transport coefficients based on water content.
- Highlighted the significant role of interfacial conditions in controlling water profiles.
Conclusions:
- The study provides unprecedented insights into water transport dynamics in ionomers.
- Findings contribute to resolving long-standing debates regarding ionomer behavior.
- The methodology offers a powerful tool for future ionomer research and development.
