The hierarchical structures of graft-type poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE)-based polymer electrolyte membranes (ETFE-PEMs) were investigated using small- and ultrasmall-angle X-ray scattering experiments. The ETFE-PEMs with ion exchange capacities (IECs) <2.4 mmol/g possessed conducting graft domains around lamellar crystals, with a d-spacing of 21.8–29.1 nm, and oriented crystallites (lamellar grains) with short and long correlation distances of 218–320 and 903–1124 nm, respectively. The membranes with IECs > 2.7 mmol/g showed a new phase of crystallite network domains with a d-range of 225–256 nm, indicating a phase transition from oriented crystallite to crystallite network structures in the IEC range of 2.4–2.7 mmol/g. Noted that for the ETFE-PEMs with high IECs higher conductivity at 30% RH and compatible tensile strengths at 100% RH and 80 °C, compared with Nafion, originated from the well-interconnected ion channels around the crystallites and the remaining lamellar crystals and crystallites, respectively.

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their advantages over other fuel cells in terms of the clean and efficient power generation and lower operating temperature. [1] They are expected to reduce the fossil fuel consumption, which is believed to be the primary sources causing the climate change. PEM, which consists of super acid groups (i.e., sulfonic acid), has been considered as one of the key components in achieving the high fuel cell performance because of its unique fuel cell properties such as ionic conductance, mechanical strength, and thermal and chemical stabilities. When a dry PEM is immersed in water, the hydrophilic chains with sulfonic ion groups can absorb water and consequently form the interconnected ion channels inside the hydrated regions. The macro and microphase separations, viz., crystalline morphologies, conducting layers (ion channels), characteristic domain sizes, and the connection and distribution of the ionic groups and water in the conducting layers and around the crystalline phases are believed to play an important role in the conductivity and mechanical integrity of the PEMs. [2][3][4] Currently, the main challenges to improve the conductivity and mechanical strength of the PEMs are the lack of detailed informationThe changes of the lamellar periods (L 1D ), thickness of lamellar crystals (L c ), and amorphous layers (L a ) within the stacked lamellae of poly(styrenesulfonic acid)-grafted poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) polymer electrolyte membranes (ETFE-PEMs), induced by the preparation and water-absorbing steps are investigated using the small-angle X-ray scattering method. The L 1D values of all the samples quickly increase at a grafting degree (GD) range of less than 19% and then level off. The solvent-induced recrystallization is observed at the early stage of grafting (GD < 10%) and at successive sulfonation and hydration steps. The L 1D , L a , and L c of dry and hydrated PEMs show similar values at higher GD ranges (>34%), leading to the conclusion that most water molecules in the PEMs with higher GDs exist at the outside of the lamellar stacks. Accordingly, for the PEMs with low GD (<19%), all the hydrophilic graft-polymers (ion-channels) locate in the lamellar stacks and are strongly restricted by lamellar crystalline layers, which suppress the swelling of the PEMs. The unique lamellar structures of ETFE-PEMs characterized by L a and L c are well connected with the high conductance and mechanical properties of the membranes, and are suitable for fuel cell applications.

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Poly(ether ether ketone)-based graft-type polymer electrolyte membranes solved the trade-off relationship between conductivity and mechanical properties.

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