Proton channels

Klaus Schmidt-Rohr and Qiang Chen have proposed a model to reveal the nanoscale arrangement and the transport properties of Nafions, the polymer electrolyte membrane used in fuel cells. The model shows that Nafion when hydrated exhibits high intrinsic proton conductivity and is chemically and electrochemically stable in an acidic and oxidizing environment. Studies have shown that Nafion membrane exhibit a bicontinuous nanostructure involving a hydrophobic matrix and ionic domains that swell on hydration. The strong cellular interactions between the polymeric bakbones make the cylindrical walls of the Nafion stiff and stable. The scientists found that this model is in agreement with the observed variation of the scattering intensity as a function of the amount of contained water, and could allow for the antistrophic optical and mechanical properties.