Relationship between the Morphology, Nanostructure, and Strength Properties of Aquivion® Type Perfluorinated Proton-Conducting Membranes Prepared by Casting from Solution

Abstract

The influence of the forming conditions on the structure and properties of Aquivion® perfluorinated proton-conducting membranes prepared by casting from a dimethylformamide solution was studied. At properly chosen and controlled conditions of solvent evaporation and subsequent heat treatment, membranes with more ordered morphology and structure, high level of mechanical properties, and high proton conductivity can be obtained. These results are attributed to the structural self-organization of the polymer base of the membranes in the course of nanofilm formation. The properties of Aquivion® type membranes prepared by casting and pressing were compared. The possibility of improving the strength properties of the membranes to the level close to that of the membranes prepared by extrusion was demonstrated.