Thermal Polymerization of Styrene Sorbed from the Gas Phase into Polymer Films as a Method for Synthesizing Precursors of Ion-Exchange Membranes

A new synthesis approach for proton exchange membranes based on ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene

“…The obtained PS accumulation data for UHMWPE films were compared with data for PVDF obtained through the vapor phase modification under similar condition [ 17 ] (Figure 2). The data are given in a volume unit (the ratio of the volume of the embedded PS to the matrix volume) taking into account the two fold difference in density of the polymer matrixes.…”

“…It is interesting to note that the same value λ = 19 ± 2 was obtained for the early synthesized PVDF‐sulfonated PS and stretched‐PTFE‐sulfonated PS composites with a wide range of IEC (0.9–2.7 mmol/g) and for commercial Nafion‐115. [ 17 ] It means that the structure and morphology of the studied membranes practically does not affect the hydration number of sulfogroups.…”

“…And second, the introduction of the initiator inside of the polymer matrix at the soaking stage allows obtaining reproducible results as in the case of PVDF gas‐phase modification. [ 17 ] A rational explanation for the latter, in our opinion, is that AIBN provides conditions for the uniform initiation of radical polymerization in the bulk of the polymer films at the initial modification stage.…”

“…The PS vapor phase modification of these preswollen films by thermal polymerization was carried out according to procedure described for PVDF modification in ref. [17]. The preswollen film samples (about 60 mm × 40 mm) were fixed in the holder‐cartridge and placed inside the reactor at a distance of 3–5 cm above the level of inhibited monomer–toluene solution (styrene/toluene = 5/1 [vol/vol]).…”

“…Such styrene vapor phase modification of PVDF films at 110°C has been performed in our previous work. [ 17 ] This allowed us to significantly simplify the synthesis conditions, reduce the formation of a side polymer, the synthesis duration, and the reagent consumption. The PVDF‐PS composites with PS content up to 70 wt%, and the corresponding PEMs with IEC up to 2.7 mmol/g, and proton conductivity up to 200 mS/cm (25°C, bulk water) were obtained.…”