On the use of gamma irradiation crosslinked PVA membranes in hydrogen fuel cells

Where do poly(vinyl alcohol) based membranes stand in relation to Nafion® for direct methanol fuel cell applications?

“…Irradiation has been conventionally employed as a means of modifying the polymers in addition to using them for the initiation and sustaining polymerization reaction. Adopting this methodology, PVA solutions have been irradiated by 60 Co gamma rays at room temperature at a dose rate of 0.5 kGy h À1 up to the integral radiation doses of 14 kGy for cross linking of 3% and 5% PVA solutions [19]. When PVA is irradiated in oxygen-free aqueous solution, the polymer radicals are formed indirectly induced mainly by the H and OH radicals arising from water molecules, both of which abstract the hydrogen atom(s) from the eCH(OH)-and/or eCH 2 -groups of PVA to form the polymer radicals.…”

Preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite/poly(styrene sulfonic acid) composite membranes for hydrogen–oxygen polymer electrolyte fuel cells

“…Nicolic et al [9] prepared a cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer membrane for a hydrogen fuel cell by a gamma irradiation technique. Recently, Yang et al [11,12] synthesized a cross-linked PVA/MMT composite polymer membrane and applied the membrane to an acidic DMFC.…”

Properties of PVA Hydrogel Wound‐Care Dressings Containing UK Propolis

“…Chemical crosslinks are usually formed after the addition of crosslinking agents, chemical compounds that interlink the polymer chains by strong bonds, e.g., glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde . The use of crosslinking agents is effective but residues of these can be hazardous to the body . Chemical crosslinks can also be formed by the hydrogels exposure to radiation, when interlinks between polymer chains are created by the formation of covalent bonds connecting chains .…”