PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANES FROM POLYELECTROLYTES BASED ON CELLULOSE-CONTAINING COMPOSITES

Our study reveals the possibility of preparing low cost polyelectrolyte membrane films from cellulose composites and polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid. The complex precipitation simultaneously with the in situ polymerization leads to a thin continuous film with the matrix of the same polymer (copolymer) as the one generated onto the cellulose particles. This structure provides a reinforced polymer film and improves the thermal stability of the cellulose. The embedment of cellulose in the polymer matrix and its partial modification are demonstrated by FTIR. The characterization by TGA-DSC revealed the appropriate thermal stability of the films, essential for Proton Exchanging Membranes (PEM) applications. Moderate water swelling (2-10%) provides volume resistivities down to about 1x10(6 divided by 4) Omega.cm for the crude crosslinked membranes, while the sulfonated ones exhibit resistivities of approx. 1x10(4 divided by 3) Omega.cm, appropriate for further processing as PEM.