Enhancing the durability and performance of radiation-induced grafted low-density polyethylene-based anion-exchange membranes by controlling irradiation conditions

This study presents a systematic analysis of the influence of irradiation conditions (absorbed dose, temperature, and atmosphere) on the physicochemical properties of radiation-induced grafted anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Detailed characterization of the polymeric electrolytes shows striking effects of the irradiation conditions on the AEM properties. The LDPE films are irradiated both at room temperature (RT) and low temperature (LT, ∼ −10 °C). At each temperature, samples are irradiated in air as well as nitrogen. By lowering the sample temperature from RT to LT during irradiation in air it is possible to obtain a threefold increase in the degree of grafting (DoG). The higher DoG reflects in the OH− conductivity (σ) of the AEM irradiated at LT, which exhibits σ (T = 80 °C) = 215 mS cm−1, while the sample prepared at RT and air has σ (T = 80 °C) = 127 mS cm−1. Such high conductivity of the LT irradiated LDPE-AEM results in high-performance anion-exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) with enhanced stability, as inferred from the time dependence of σ (T = 60 °C) measurements. The experimental results evidence that the control of both the irradiation temperature and the atmosphere diminishes the degradation effects caused by the radiation. Therefore, the present study advances the understanding of the role played by the irradiation process on the final properties of radiation-induced grafted LDPE-based AEMs and offers new possibilities to guide future developments for anion-exchange membranes.