EPR Study on the Oxidative Degradation of Phenyl Sulfonates, Constituents of Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Based Proton-Exchange Fuel Cell Membranes.

ABSTRACT: Sulfonated aromatic hydrocarbon-based ionomers are potential constituents of next-generation polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Widespread application is currently limited due to their susceptibility to radical-initiated oxidative degradation that, among other intermediates, involves the formation of highly reactive aromatic cation radicals. The intermediates undergo chain cleavage (dealkylation/dearylation) and the loss of protogenic sulfonate groups, all leading to performance loss and eventual membrane failure. Laser flash photolysis experiments indicated that cation radicals can also be formed via direct electron ejection. We aim to establish the major degradation pathway of proton-exchange membranes (PEMs). To this end, we irradiated aqueous solutions of phenyl sulfonate-t

SUBMITTER: Nemeth T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9512017 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature