Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
Published on: March 21, 2014
Modification of sulfonated poly(arylene ether nitrile) proton exchange membranes by poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)
Hao Liu1,2, Tiandu Dong2, Mingzheng Zhou2
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China thln@wut.edu.cn.
Abstract:
The modification of the physicochemical properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether nitrile) (SPAEN) proton exchange membranes was demonstrated by poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) doping (named SPAEN-x%). By controlling the temperature during membrane preparation, the side reactions of the sulfonic acid groups to form sulfonic acid esters were effectively prevented, greatly reducing the proton conductivity of the membranes. Due to the flexible chain of EVOH, SPAEN-8% showed a relatively high elongation of 30.2%, which enhanced the aromatic polymers' flexibility. The SPAEN-2% membrane exhibited proton conductivity of 166, 55, and 9.6 mS cm-1 at 95%, 70%, and 50% relative humidity, respectively, higher than those of the other SPAEN-x% membranes and even comparable to that of Nafion 212. The water uptake, morphological study, and through-plane proton conductivity of the membranes were studied and discussed. The results suggest that EVOH doping can be used as an effective strategy to improve SPAEN-based proton exchange membranes' performance.
Related Concept Videos
Ion Exchange
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists...
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

