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Fluorinated ionomers are a key polymer group for the electrochemical processes used in the chlor-alkali industry to produce bulk chemicals including chlorine, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. They are also used in fuel cell applications, batteries and novel drug delivery mechanisms. Grot, inventor of the leading polymer in this group, Nafion from DuPont.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction1.1 Polymers1.2 Physical Shapes1.3 References2 History2.1 References3 Manufacture3.1 Introduction3.2 Perfluorinated Ionomers3.3 Polymerization3.4 Fabrication3.5 Hydrolysis and Acid Exchange3.6 Finishing and Testing3.7 Liquid Compositions3.8 Fluorinated Ionomers with Phosphonic or Sulfonyl Imide Functional Groups3.9 Partially Fluorinated Ionomers3.10 Composite Materials of Ionomers and Inorganic Oxides3.11 Composite Materials of Ionomers and a Porous Matrix3.12 Remanufactured Membranes3.13 References4 Properties4.1 Properties of the Precursor Polymers4.2 Properties of the Ionic Forms4.3 Morphology4.4 Transport Properties4.5 Optical Properties4.6 Thermal Properties4.7 Stability4.8 References5 Applications5.1 Electrolysis5.2 Sensors and Actuators5.3 Dialysis5.4 Gas and Vapor Diffusion5.5 Protective Clothing5.6 Catalysis5.7 References6 Fuel Cells and Batteries6.1 Introduction6.2 Operating Parameters6.3 Ionomer Stability6.4 Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs)6.5 Manufacture of MEAs6.6 Rechargeable Flow Through Batteries6.7 References6.8 Further Reading7 Commercial Membrane Types7.1 Unreinforced Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid Films7.2 Reinforced Perfluorinated Membranes8 Economic Aspects8.1 Chlor-Alkali Cells8.2 Fuel Cells8.3 References9 Experimental Methods9.1 Infrared Spectra9.2 Hydrolysis, Surface Hydrolysis and Staining9.3 Other Reactions of the Precursor Polymer9.4 Ion Exchange Equilibrium9.5 Determination of EW by Titration or Infrared Analysis9.6 Determining Melt Flow9.7 Distinguishing the Precursor Polymer from Various Ionic Forms9.8 Fenton’s Test for Oxidative Stability9.9 Examination of a Membrane9.10 Determining the Permselectivity9.11 Measuring Pervaporation Rates9.12 Simple Electrolytic Cells9.13 References10 Heat Sealing and Repair10.1 Reference11 Handling and Storage11.1 Handling the Film11.2 Pretreatment11.3 Installation11.4 Sealing and Gasketing12 Toxicology, Safety and Disposal12.1 Toxicology12.2 Safety12.3 Disposal12.4 ReferencesAppendix A A Chromic Acid Regeneration SystemAppendix B Laboratory Chlor-alkali CellAppendix C Solution Cast Nafion FilmAppendix D Plastic-Based Bipolar PlatesSuppliers and ResourcesGlossary and Web SitesIndex