Time-resolved SAXS Study of Water Uptake by Aqueous Dispersions of Sulfonated Polymers Used for Fuel Cell Membranes

We will conduct time-resolved SAXS studies to assess the rate of water uptake/release by aqueous colloidal dispersions of sulfonated perfluorinated (Nafion and Aquivion) and more environmentally friendly non-perfluorinated (SPEEK) copolymer particles via temperature jump experiments. This study, fundamental in nature, will complement our preliminary temperature ramp data collected on Nafion dispersions and lead to a better understanding of how water interacts with sulfonate polymer membrane which is essential for optimizing fuel cell performance. The obtained results will also lead to a high-profile publication.