PVDF based ion exchange membrane prepared by radiation grafting of ethyl styrenesulfonate and sequent hydrolysis

A new synthesis route for poly(vinylidene fluoride)-g-polystyrene sulfonic acid ion exchange membrane (PVDF-g-PSSA IEM) has been developed via preradiation-induced grafting of ethyl styrenesulfonate and sequent hydrolysis. A high grafting yield (GY) 120% for PETSS grafted onto PVDF could be obtained at a reaction time of 3 h and dose of 50 kGy. The structure of PVDF-g-PSSA IEM was testified by FTIR, XPS, TGA and SEM analysis. At the GY above 80%, the ion exchange capacity, water uptake and proton conductivity of the resultant PVDF-g-PSSA IEM exceeds Nafion 117 membrane. This work provides an environmental method for the preparation of the IEM used in fuel cell or water treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Project [Z151100000915075]; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC) [U1430324]SCI(E)ARTICLE252-25813