Interaction of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Nafions

Authors

Charles Wilkie, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jeffry R. Thomsen, Marquette University
Martin L. Mittleman, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2-20-1991

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Journal of Applied Polymer Science

Source ISSN

0021-8995

Abstract

The thermal degradation of Nafion–H, Nafion–K, and the mixture of each of these with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been studied. A mechanism is proposed for the thermal degradation of Nafion–H that involves an initial cleavage of the carbon–sulfur bond leading to SO₂ and OH radical and a carbon‐based radical. This carbon‐based radical then undergoes further degradation. The addition of PMMA to Nafion–H inhibits further degradation of the Nafion carbon‐based radical and instead radical recombination reactions between PMMA fragments and this Nafion radical dominate the reaction scheme. The replacement of the hydrogen in Nafion–H with a potassium (i.e., Nafion–K) produces a much more robust material that does not degrade under conditions similar to those used for Nafion–H. Nafion–K has little effect on the degradation of PMMA.

Comments

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 42, No. 4 (February 20, 1991): 901-909. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Wilkie, Charles; Thomsen, Jeffry R.; and Mittleman, Martin L., "Interaction of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Nafions" (1991). Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications. 776.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/chem_fac/776