Doping Nafion® matrix by p-aramid flakes for a proton transport less reliant on moisture†
Abstract
Dispersion of a low dose of oligomeric poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) flakes (∼20 nm) in a matrix of Nafion® causes a reduction in glass transition temperature and storage modulus of the membrane. This matrix-softening phenomenon is attributed to the adsorption of Nafion molecules to the PPTA nanoflakes, which makes the Nafion matrix become less hydrophilic according to