Interaction of water vapor with gamma-radiation-induced defects in proton conductive polymers

B. Tsuchiya, Y. Konishi, S. Nagata, Tatsuo Shikama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The correlation between protonic conduction and the amount of radiation-induced defects in gamma-ray-irradiated perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers (Aciplex-SF-1004®) has been investigated using a direct-current resistance method, transmission spectroscopy for the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) wavelength ranges and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with the attenuated total refraction (ATR) technique. The proton conductivity of the polymers, which are irradiated with a dose of up to 532 kGy under vacuum at room temperature and subsequently exposure to air, is enhanced by approximately three orders of magnitude as compared to that of the unirradiated polymer. The UV-Vis spectra of the irradiated polymers reveal the presence of fluorocarbon radicals, which increase with the irradiation dose. It is also observed in the UV-Vis and FTIR spectra that peroxy free radicals, unsaturated species (COF), and a carboxyl group (COOH) containing a carbon-oxygen double bond are formed by reactions of the fluorocarbon radicals with oxygen or water vapor in air. In addition, an increase in the hydrogen concentration is observed in the near-surface regions of the irradiated polymers by using an elastic recoil detection (ERD) technique. The production of charge carriers such as protons and oxonium ions (H3O+) by the interaction of water vapor with the activating-radiation-induced defects leads to the enhancement of the proton conductivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)585-588
Number of pages4
JournalSolid State Ionics
Volume180
Issue number6-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 May 14

Keywords

  • Elastic recoil detection
  • Gamma-ray irradiation
  • Optical absorption
  • Proton conductive polymers
  • Proton conductivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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