Novel Nafion®/ORMOSIL hybrids via in situ sol-gel reactions: 2. Probe of ORMOSIL phase nanostructure by 29Si solid state NMR spectroscopy

Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA)]/Organically-Modified Silicon Oxide (ORMOSIL)] hybrids were formulated via sol-gel reactions of mixtures of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and diethoxydimethylsilane (DEDMS) in the nanophase-separated morphology of a PFSA membrane (Nafion^®). The molecular structures of the ORMOSIL phases were investigated by ²⁹Si solid state NMR spectroscopy and the spectra compared with those of corresponding bulk ORMOSILs. PFSA-in situ ORMOSIL composition can be tailored by manipulating TEOS/DEDMS source solution composition and quantified by ²⁹Si solid state NMR spectroscopy. Copolymerization of TEOS and DEDMS monomers, rather than block formation, occurs within the PFSA as well as in the bulk. As DEDMS feed concentration increases, ORMOSIL nanostructures are more hydrophobic and more flexible. Dimethylsiloxane rings are dominant in PFSAs in which hydrolysis + condensation of pure DEDMS occurs.