Density and Solubility of Nafion: Recast, Annealed, and Commercial Films

Abstract

The density of Nafion membranes wetted in water and acetonitrile and the solubility of Nafion in a 50:50 ethanol/water mixture are reported. Commercially available membranes, solution recast membranes, and recast membranes thermally processed for varying lengths of time were examined. Unheated recast membranes were found to be ∼20% less dense in water than both commercial membranes and recast membranes heated at 140°C for 40, 50, and 60 min. For heating times of ≥40 min, the density of recast membranes in water was invariant and equal to the density of commercial films. Similarly, in acetonitrile, commercial membranes and films heated for 1 h had the same density; unheated recast films were ∼25% less dense. Nafion density in acetonitrile was ∼15% less than that in water. Acid pretreatment reduced Nafion film density by ∼15%. Unheated recast films were 22-100% soluble in a sonicated ethanol/water mixture. Commercial membranes and recast films heated for as little as 10 min were insoluble under the same conditions.