Study on gamma-ray-induced degradation of polymer electrolyte by pH titration and solution analysis

Degradation process of polymer electrolyte was investigated by pH titration and solution analysis. Perfluorosulfonic acid, which is generally used for fuel cells and sensors, was irradiated with gamma-ray. Irradiated samples were immersed in distilled water, and the suspensions were titrated with NaCl solution while pH was monitored. Initial pH without any sodium ion decreased as increase in absorbed dose, indicating acid release from polymer electrolyte. To identify the chemical structure of dissolved species, solution analysis was performed by ion chromatography, total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, and inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). It was shown that proton, sulfide ion, fluorine ion and organic carbon were detected in the solution, and the ratio among these ions and atoms changed depending on the irradiation conditions. It shows that the solution analysis can identify the scission site by irradiation sensitively, and gives useful information for investigation of polymer degradation process.