Properties of Proton Exchange Membranes Poly-ethylene Terephthalate (PET) Films Developed by Gamma Radiation Induced Grafting and Sulfonation Technique

Khadiza Begam¹, Md. AlamgirKabir¹, M. Mahbubur Rahman^{1, 2,} , Md. Abul Hossain¹ and Mubarak A. Khan³

¹Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

²School of Engineering & Information Technology, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

³Institute of Radiation & Polymer Technology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Cite this paper:
Khadiza Begam, Md. AlamgirKabir, M. Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Abul Hossain and Mubarak A. Khan. Properties of Proton Exchange Membranes Poly-ethylene Terephthalate (PET) Films Developed by Gamma Radiation Induced Grafting and Sulfonation Technique. Physics and Materials Chemistry. 2013; 1(2):13-20. doi: 10.12691/pmc-1-2-2

Abstract

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were developed by radiation induced grafting of styrene onto poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) membranes using two steps technique. Subsequent sulfonation on the PET films was conducted by chlorosulfonic acid (ClSO₃H). The PET films in 45% styrene solution at 1500 krad dose has found to show the highest grafting (17.4%) in both techniques while the maximum degree of sulfonation was noticed to be 9% with a soaking time 150 minutes. Surface morphology was investigated from scanning electron microgram (SEM). Proton exchange capacity (PEC) was confirmed by pH change in 0.01 M NaCl solution. Optical and electrical characteristics of the PEMs were performed by the measurements of FTIR optical absorption, electrical impedance, and electrical resistance respectively.

Keywords:
polymer electrolyte membrane gamma radiation grafting sulfonation styrene poly (ethylene terephthalate) SEM FTIR impedance

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