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Vokoun D, Samal S, Stachiv I. Impact of Initial Cyclic Loading on Mechanical Properties and Performance of Nafion. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:1488. [PMID: 36772526 PMCID: PMC9920180 DOI: 10.3390/s23031488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nafion possesses many interesting properties such as a high ion-conductivity, hydrophilicity, and thermal and chemical stability that make this material highly suitable for many applications including fuel cells and various (bio-)chemical and physical sensors. However, the mechanical properties of a Nafion membrane that are known to be affected by the viscoplastic characteristics of the material itself have a strong impact on the performance of Nafion-based sensors. In this study, the mechanical properties of Nafion under the cyclic loading have been investigated in detail. After cyclic tensile loading (i.e., maximum elongation about 25% at a room temperature and relative humidity about 40%) a time-dependent recovery comes into play. This recovery process is also shown being strain-rate dependent. Our results reveal that the recovery behavior weakens after performing several stress-strain cycles. Present findings can be of a great importance in future design of various chemical and biological microsensors and nanosensors such as hydrogen or glucose ones.
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Choi JS, Tsui JH, Xu F, Lee SH, Lee HJ, Wang C, Kim HJ, Kim DH. Fabrication of nanomolded Nafion thin films with tunable mechanical and electrical properties using thermal evaporation-induced capillary force lithography. ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES 2021; 8:2002005. [PMID: 33996383 PMCID: PMC8115721 DOI: 10.1002/admi.202002005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we report a simple and facile method to fabricate nanomolded Nafion thin films with tunable mechanical, and electrical properties. To achieve this, we combine a novel thermal evaporation-induced capillary force lithography method with swelling process to obtain enhanced pattern fidelity in nanomolded Nafion films. We demonstrate that structural fidelity and mechanical properties of patterned Nafion thin films can be modulated by changing fabrication parameters such as swelling time, Nafion polymer concentration, and curing temperature. Interestingly, we also find that impedance properties of nanomolded Nafion thin films are associated with the Nafion polymer concentration and curing temperature. In particular, 20% Nafion thin films exhibit greater impedance stability and lower impedance values than 5% Nafion thin films at lower frequencies. Moreover, curing temperature-specific impedance changes are observed. These results suggest that capillary lithography can be used to fabricate Nafion nanostructures with high pattern fidelity capable of modifying mechanical and electrical properties of Nafion thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Seob Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Jonathan H Tsui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Su Han Lee
- Digital Healthcare Research Center, Gumi Electronics and Information Technology Research Institute (GERI), 350-27, Gumidaero, Gumi, Gyeongbuk 39253, Republic of Korea
| | - Heon Joon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Hyung Jin Kim
- Digital Healthcare Research Center, Gumi Electronics and Information Technology Research Institute (GERI), 350-27, Gumidaero, Gumi, Gyeongbuk 39253, Republic of Korea
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
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Prikhno IA, Safronova EY, Stenina IA, Yurova PA, Yaroslavtsev AB. Dependence of the Transport Properties of Perfluorinated Sulfonated Cation-Exchange Membranes on Ion-Exchange Capacity. MEMBRANES AND MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s2517751620040095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Abstract
In this comprehensive review, recent progress and developments on perfluorinated sulfonic-acid (PFSA) membranes have been summarized on many key topics. Although quite well investigated for decades, PFSA ionomers' complex behavior, along with their key role in many emerging technologies, have presented significant scientific challenges but also helped create a unique cross-disciplinary research field to overcome such challenges. Research and progress on PFSAs, especially when considered with their applications, are at the forefront of bridging electrochemistry and polymer (physics), which have also opened up development of state-of-the-art in situ characterization techniques as well as multiphysics computation models. Topics reviewed stem from correlating the various physical (e.g., mechanical) and transport properties with morphology and structure across time and length scales. In addition, topics of recent interest such as structure/transport correlations and modeling, composite PFSA membranes, degradation phenomena, and PFSA thin films are presented. Throughout, the impact of PFSA chemistry and side-chain is also discussed to present a broader perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Kusoglu
- Energy Conversion Group, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , 1 Cyclotron Road, MS70-108B, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Adam Z Weber
- Energy Conversion Group, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , 1 Cyclotron Road, MS70-108B, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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Frieberg BR, Page KA, Graybill JR, Walker ML, Stafford CM, Stafford GR, Soles CL. Mechanical Response of Thermally Annealed Nafion Thin Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:33240-33249. [PMID: 27934151 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorinated ionomers, in particular, Nafion, are a critical component in hydrogen fuel cells as the ion conducting binder within the catalyst layer in which it can be confined to thicknesses on the order of 10 nm or less. It is well reported that many physical properties, such as the Young's modulus, are thickness dependent when the film thickness is less than 100 nm. Here we utilize a cantilever bending methodology to quantify the swelling-induced stresses and relevant mechanical properties of Nafion films as a function of film thickness exposed to cyclic humidity. We observe a factor of 5 increase in the Young's modulus in films thinner than 50 nm and show how this increased stiffness translates to reduced swelling or hydration. The swelling stress was found to increase by a factor of 2 for films approximately 40 nm thick. We demonstrate that thermal annealing enhances the modulus at all film thicknesses and correlate these mechanical changes to chemical changes in the infrared absorption spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley R Frieberg
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Kirt A Page
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Joshua R Graybill
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Marlon L Walker
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Christopher M Stafford
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Gery R Stafford
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Christopher L Soles
- Materials Science and Engineering Division and ‡Materials Measurement Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
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6
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Side Chain Influence on the Mechanical Properties and Water Uptake of Confined Comb-Shaped Cationic Polymer Thin Films. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201600254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Melchior JP, Bräuniger T, Wohlfarth A, Portale G, Kreuer KD. About the Interactions Controlling Nafion’s Viscoelastic Properties and Morphology. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Patrick Melchior
- Max Planck Institute
for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstr.
1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Bräuniger
- Max Planck Institute
for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstr.
1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andreas Wohlfarth
- Max Planck Institute
for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstr.
1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Portale
- DUBBLE, BM26 at
ESRF, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, BP220, F-38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Klaus-Dieter Kreuer
- Max Planck Institute
for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstr.
1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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Page KA, Shin JW, Eastman SA, Rowe BW, Kim S, Kusoglu A, Yager KG, Stafford GR. In Situ Method for Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Nafion Thin Films during Hydration Cycles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:17874-17883. [PMID: 26258630 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b04080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorinated ionomers, in particular Nafion, are an essential component in hydrogen fuel cells, as both the proton exchange membrane and the binder within the catalyst layer. During normal operation of a hydrogen fuel cell, the ionomer will progressively swell and deswell in response to the changes in hydration, resulting in mechanical fatigue and ultimately failure over time. In this study, we have developed and implemented a cantilever bending technique in order to investigate the swelling-induced stresses in biaxially constrained Nafion thin films. When the deflection of a cantilever beam coated with a polymer film is monitored as it is exposed to varying humidity environments, the swelling induced stress-thickness product of the polymer film is measured. By combining the stress-thickness results with a measurement of the swelling strain as a function of humidity, as measured by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and X-ray reflectivity (XR), the swelling stress can be determined. An estimate of the Young's modulus of thin Nafion films as a function of relative humidity is obtained. The Young's modulus values indicate orientation of the ionic domains within the polymer films, which were confirmed by grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). This study represents a measurement platform that can be expanded to incorporate novel ionomer systems and fuel cell components to mimic the stress state of a working hydrogen fuel cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirt A Page
- †Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Jae Wook Shin
- †Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Scott A Eastman
- ‡United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108, United States
| | - Brandon W Rowe
- †Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Sangcheol Kim
- †Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Ahmet Kusoglu
- §Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kevin G Yager
- ∥Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Gery R Stafford
- †Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
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9
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Interfacial constraints on water and proton transport across nafion membranes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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10
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Ozmaian M, Naghdabadi R. Modeling and simulation of the water gradient within a Nafion membrane. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:3173-86. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp54015d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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11
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Shi S, Liu D, Liu D, Tae P, Gao CY, Yan L, An K, Chen X. Mechanical properties and microstructure changes of proton exchange membrane under immersed conditions. POLYM ENG SCI 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.23770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shouwen Shi
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Dazhi Liu
- Neutron Scattering Science Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge; Tennessee 37831
| | - Patrick Tae
- Neutron Scattering Science Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge; Tennessee 37831
| | - Carrie Y. Gao
- Neutron Scattering Science Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge; Tennessee 37831
| | - Lei Yan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
| | - Ke An
- Neutron Scattering Science Division; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge; Tennessee 37831
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology; Tianjin University; Tianjin 300072 China
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Dzyazko YS, Ponomaryova LN, Volfkovich YM, Sosenkin VE, Belyakov VN. Polymer Ion-Exchangers Modified with Zirconium Hydrophosphate for Removal of Cd2+Ions from Diluted Solutions. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2013.794434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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13
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Effect of the number of methyl groups of the ionic repeat unit on the dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of poly(styrene-co-acrylate)-based ionomers. POLYMER 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2013.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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Zhao Q, Benziger J. Mechanical properties of perfluoro sulfonated acids: The role of temperature and solute activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Princeton University; Princeton New Jersey 08544
| | - Jay Benziger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Princeton University; Princeton New Jersey 08544
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