直接甲醇燃料电池用聚合物质子交换膜的研究进展

对各种类型的聚合物质子交换膜,如全氟磺酸聚合物、部分氟化磺酸聚合物、非氟磺酸聚合物、有机-无机复合质子交换膜的结构、性质以及最新的研究进展进行了综述.并且,对该领域未来的发展进行了展望.     

Electroanalytical sensors for nonconducting media based on electrodes supported on perfluorinated ion-exchange membranes

Electroanalytical sensors, suitable for the analysis and monitoring of electroactive analytes present in gaseous phase or low-conductive liquid media, and based on electrodes in close contact with perfluorinated ion-exchange polymers are reviewed. The basic operative mechanism of these sensors, in which ion-exchange polymers act as solid polymer electrolytes (SPE's), is thoroughly discussed, while stressing the fundamental reasons why their behavior differs from that of conventional membrane electrodes. The procedures for preparing composite working electrodes by coating one side of ion-exchange membranes with stable porous films of conductive materials are described, along with the most common strategies followed to assemble this type of sensors. Useful examples of measurements in electrolyte-free media of inorganic and organic electroactive species of interest mainly for environmental analysis are given. Future prospects for the development of these sensors are also discussed.     

Proton-exchange membranes for hydrogen-air fuel cells

The review is devoted to recent advances in the development of polymer electrolytes for low-temperature (operating temperatures ～80°C) and medium-temperature (operating temperatures 160–180°C) fuel cells. At present the most used are perfluorinated polymer membranes, such as Nafion®, Aciplex®, Flemon®, and Dow®, owing to their high chemical stability and proton conductance, as well as good machinability. However, successful commercialization of fuel cells with such membranes is prevented by their high cost, as well as low proton conductance at low humidities and temperatures above 100°C. Much effort is underway to develop membranes alternative to perfluorinated ones, with emphasis on aromatic hydrocarbon polymers.     

Percolation and effective-medium theories for perfluorinated ionomers and polymer composites

Percolation and effective-medium theories are applied to model the transport and elastic properties of perfluorinated ionomers. The composite nature of these polymers is emphasized. The effective-medium theory is generalized to track continuously the evolution from lamellar to fibrillar morphology. The predicted dramatic difference in ion selectivity between lamellar and spherical morphology is verified quantitatively in perfluorinated ionomer blends. The limitations and potential improvements of the effective-medium theory and its relationship to percolation theory are discussed. Applications of these theories to other multiphase polymer systems are also discussed.     

Structure and hydration processes in perfluorinated bilayer cation-exchange membranes

Based on perfluorinated polymers MF-4SK and F-4KF bilayer composite ion-exchange membranes are studied by using the magic-angle-rotation NMR, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron-probe microanalysis. It is shown that the contact of the polymers includes an interlayer, approximately 5 μm thick. The NMR data point to slow water-molecules-exchange between hydrate-complexes of sulfo- and carboxyl-groups.     

Dielectric dispersion and conductivity of moisture-containing amorphous polymers

The effect of the moisture content in amorphous polymers (PS, PVC, PMMA) on their electro-physical properties is considered. Analytical relationships describing the inflence of the external-field frequency and environmental relative humidity on the conductivity of the polymers are given. For the use of these polymers as active elements of moisture sensors, the moisture-resistive effect is estimated.     

Reversible Phase Transition of Porous Coordination Polymers

Porous coordination polymers or metal–organic frameworks with reversible phase-transition behavior possess some attractive properties, and can respond to external stimuli, including physical and chemical stimuli, in a dynamic fashion. Their phase transitions can be triggered by adsorption/desorption of guest molecules, temperature changes, high pressure, light irradiation, and electric fields; these mainly include two types of transitions: crystal–amorphous and crystal–crystal transitions. These types of porous coordination polymers have received much attention because of their interesting properties and potential applications. Herein, reversible phase transition porous coordination polymers are summarized and classified based on different stimuli sources. Corresponding typical examples are then introduced. Finally, examples of their applications in gas separation, chemical sensors, guest molecule encapsulation, and energy storage are also presented.     

Order-disorder transition in supramolecular polymers

In supramolecular polymers, directional interactions control the constituting units connectivity, but dispersion forces may conspire to make complex organizations. Here we report on the long-range order and order-disorder transition (ODT) of main-chain supramolecular polymers based on poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) spacers functionalized on both ends with thymine. Below the ODT temperature (T(ODT)), these compounds are semicrystalline with a lamellar structure, showing nanophase separation between crystallized thymine planes and amorphous PPO layers. Above T(ODT), they are amorphous and homogeneous even though their X-ray scattering spectrum reveals a peak. This peak is due to correlation hole effect resulting from contrast between end-functional groups and spacer. Macroscopically, the transition is accompanied by dramatic flow and mechanical properties changes.     

Nanostructures in polymer systems

General concepts concerning the formation, structure, and some properties of nanosized structural elements in polymers and polymeric materials are summarized from the standpoint of feasibility of formation of nanoparticles and nanoreactors in such systems and practical use of advantages offered by these structures. The familiar concepts are complemented with the results obtained recently. Examples are given to illustrate the implementation of elements of nanotechnology based on the principles of creation of nanostructures in amorphous and crystalline polymers, copolymers, and molecular composites. Practicable methods for the preparation of polymeric nanostructures by controlled crystallization, microphase and nanophase separation of components, and their dispersion, as well as the formation of interfaces, are discussed.     

Influence of inert components on the formation of conducting channels in ion-exchange membranes

In this work, the results of investigation of the influence of inert binder and reinforcing fabric on structural organization and mechanism of current transfer in homogeneous and heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes are presented by theoretical analysis of parameters of the extended three-wire conductivity model. It was established that analogy in reorganization of the current paths takes place in the course of inclusion of the reinforcing fabric in perfluorinated membranes and addition of polyethylene and nylon 6 to ion-exchange resins during preparation of heterogeneous membranes. In comparison with perfluorinated membranes, the essential difference in conducting properties of heterogeneous membranes is the opportunity for the current transfer via the channel filled with equilibrium solution. The size of this channel decreases with increase in the volume fraction of the inert component inside the membrane.     

Inverse-gas chromatography and the thermodynamics of sorption in polymers

In this review, the development of inverse gas chromatography (IGC) is briefly described, the role of A.A. Tager??s studies is indicated, and the principles of using the IGC method to solve problems of the thermodynamics of sorption of gases and vapors in polymers are formulated. The IGC method was originally developed by Guillet??s school to study the thermodynamics of sorption in polymers above their glass-transition temperatures; later, it was generalized and extended to the study of sorption processes below the glasstransition temperature in high-fractional free-volume polymers. These polymers exhibit specific features, such as strong exothermicity of mixing (??H _m ? 0), dependence of ??H _m on the size of the sorbate molecule, and high solubility coefficients. Chromatographic studies of sorption in the AF1600 amorphous perfluorinated polymer above and below its glass-transition temperature made it possible to test a new thermodynamic model that describes the sorption of gases and vapors in glassy polymers.     

Influence of conformational rigidity on membrane properties of polyimides

Several polyimides were studied with regard to the influence of their conformational rigidity on the packing in glassy state, and consequently on their physical properties such as glass transition temperature and selectivity of gas separation membranes made from these polymers. The values of their physical properties were taken from literature, while the conformational rigidity parameters such as Kuhn segment, characteristic ratio, and occupied, free, and accessible volumes were calculated here and were correlated with physical properties. It was shown that there are correlations between selectivity of gas separation membranes made from these polyimides on one hand, and characteristic ratio, on another hand.     

结晶高分子非晶区的结构及其动力学行为研究进展

非晶结构对结晶高分子材料结构和最终使用性能有非常重要的影响,但目前对半晶高分子中非晶结构的认识还不太清晰并且有待进一步完善.随着研究手段的发展,结晶高分子中非晶区结构及其动力学行为的研究受到越来越多的关注.本文简要概述了目前对结晶高分子中非晶相的研究进展,主要从结晶高分子中非晶区的结构﹑结晶高分子中非晶区的松弛行为﹑非晶相对结晶高分子性能的影响以及等温结晶过程中非晶相的结构演化这四个方面进行介绍,并对它们的研究现状进行了概述,同时指出了目前在这方面研究中存在的争议和问题.     

Unified study of the different physical properties of amorphous polymers

Uptil now it has not been possible to explain the different physical properties of amorphous polymers using a model based on a single conceptual scheme. In this paper, a phenomenological model is proposed which tries to explain the mechanical, optical and thermal properties (both thermal conductivity and expansivity) of amorphous polymers. The model has similarities with the composite model, proposed by the present authors, which has proved to be successful in interpreting the different physical properties of semicrystalline polymers. The present model considers the bulk form of the polymer as an aggregate of microscopic units possessing intrinsic physical properties. On drawing, the development of anisotropy in different physical properties is supposed to be due to the development of preferred orientation of these units. The development of the preferred orientation has been estimated directly from birefringence data. The agreement between the calculated and experimental values of the elastic modulus, thermal conductivity and thermal expansivity of PVC, PMMA and PS is found to be reasonable good.     

Relationship between the Morphology,Nanostructure, and Strength Properties of Aquivion® Type Perfluorinated Proton-Conducting Membranes Prepared by Casting from Solution

The influence of the forming conditions on the structure and properties of Aquivion® perfluorinated proton-conducting membranes prepared by casting from a dimethylformamide solution was studied. At properly chosen and controlled conditions of solvent evaporation and subsequent heat treatment, membranes with more ordered morphology and structure, high level of mechanical properties, and high proton conductivity can be obtained. These results are attributed to the structural self-organization of the polymer base of the membranes in the course of nanofilm formation. The properties of Aquivion® type membranes prepared by casting and pressing were compared. The possibility of improving the strength properties of the membranes to the level close to that of the membranes prepared by extrusion was demonstrated.     

Relationship between Energy Characteristics of Surface of Polymeric Membranes and Their Transport Properties

Molecular theory of wetting was used to calculate the specific free surface energy of membranes based on amorphous polymers of varied chemical structure from experimental wetting angles obtained for test fluids. A relationship was found between the dispersion component of the surface energy of a membrane, its gas permeability, and free volume of the polymer. This makes it possible to employ the wetting method to prognosticate the transport properties of polymeric membranes. In wetting of membranes with aqueous solutions of alcohols, the concentration of an alcohol corresponding to the onset of its sorption into the membrane was determined. The correlation of the value obtained with the alcohol concentration that corresponds to the onset of sorption and is determined independently by the gravimetric method enables use of wetting angles for optimizing the conditions of experiments on nanofiltration and pervaporation.     

Poled amorphous polymers for second-order nonlinear optics

Recent advances in poled amorphous polymers for second-order nonlinear optics are discussed with emphasis on stabilizing the frozen-in nonlinearity via chemical crosslinking under electric fields. Specific examples of a linear polymer and a crosslinked polymer, both with nitroaniline-type chromophores covalently attached as side groups, are presented and compared in their glass transition behavior, linear optical properties, poling dynamics, and stability of frozen-in nonlinearity. It is demonstrated that by employing chemical crosslinking under electric fields one can prepare highly efficient and stable poled polymers that exhibit no decay in nonlinearity at ambient conditions and no apparent tendency of decay even at 85°C as well as excellent optical properties. The historical development of organic materials for second-order nonlinear optics and recent advances in device fabrication based on poled polymers are also discussed briefly.     

Gradient polymers and copolymers

Gradient polymers are two component polymeric systems in which the concentration of one component varies in a continuous way from one side to the other in systems with plane-parallel geometry. Such systems can be obtained from an amorphous polymeric matrix by diffusing into another monomer creating a gradient of concentration, which is fixed by, for example, photo-polymerization. Properties of such systems with plane-parallel geometry are discussed. Paricular attention is given to the systems with cylindrical geometry in which the gradient of the second polymer varies from the center to outside. This class of gradient polymers has a great practical application as gradient optical polymeric fibers and multifocal lenses. An interesting and new class of gradient polymers are systems systems consisting of semicrystalline polymeric matrices in which a gradient of structure is created by appropriate thermal treatment and an amorphous polymer gradient is formed by diffusion of a monomer and its subsequent polymerization. The structural, thermal and mechanical properties are discussed mainly for a model system consisting of polyethylene and polystyrene. The polymeric gradient systems, consisting of an oriented semicrystalline polymer and amorphous gradient polymer, are discussed showing that the structurally gradient matrices and amorphous polymer offer a great variety of factors which can influence the properties of multicomponent gradient polymers. Recently obtained gradient copolymers in which the chemical composition varies from one end to the other a macromolecule are presented. It is shown how such macromolecules can be obtained with different type of changes of the composition. The unusual properties of gradient copolymers are discussed considering their mechanical and thermal properties as well their specific behaviour as compatibilizers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Properties of side chain liquid crystal and amorphous polymers. Applications to non-linear optics

Comb-like liquid-crystalline polymers exhibit many unique properties that challenge not only basic research but also numerous technological opportunities. They combine (partly) the properties of orientation of low molecular weight liquid crystals with the rigidity of polymers. For example, they can be oriented in the mesomorphic state and the structure frozen in a glassy state. These polymers with functionalized pendent groups lead to potential applications in the field of nonlinear optics, or in the domain of electro-optical displays. Other polymers like polysilanes show interesting properties such as photo-conductivity. This paper describes the properties and applications of some new side chain liquid-crystalline polyacrylates and their amorphous copolymers. It also describes the photo-conductive properties of polysilanes and their applications in spatial light modulators with liquid crystals. In the first part of this paper, we describe the properties of liquid crystal copolymers and amorphous polyacrylate copolymers with cyanobiphenyls and/or pendent groups with a large hyperpolarizability. Their different properties are compared with some recent results from the literature. These amorphous copolymers allow one to obtain, after poling in an electric field, high optical non-linear coefficients. We have used these copolymers for the manufacture of an electro-optic modulator working at 1·3 μm in the frequency range of 1 GHz. Applications to second harmonic generation at 1·06 μm are also discussed. In the second part of this paper we describe the photo-conductive properties of polysilanes and the realization and performance of an organic spatial light modulator for optical correlation.