Investigation of Phase Morphology and Blend Stability in Ionomeric Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB)/Poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) Copolymer Blend Membranes

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dc.contributor.authorOsborn, Angela Michelleen
dc.contributor.committeechairMoore, Robert Bowen IIIen
dc.contributor.committeememberEllis, Michael W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberDillard, David A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCase, Scott W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberMcGrath, James E.en
dc.contributor.departmentMacromolecular Science and Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-06T15:44:17Zen
dc.date.adate2010-12-10en
dc.date.available2017-04-06T15:44:17Zen
dc.date.issued2010-11-04en
dc.date.rdate2016-10-07en
dc.date.sdate2010-11-17en
dc.description.abstractThis research is focused on the investigation of phase morphology and blend stability within ionomeric perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB)/poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) copolymer blend membranes. The morphologies of these unique materials, designed as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), have been examined not only in the as-cast/as-received state, but also as a function of exposure to various ex-situ aging environments. The morphological investigations used to probe the response of these ionomer blends have been designed to mimic the environment within a PEMFC and will therefore enhance our understanding of the implications of morphological changes which may occur during fuel cell operation. Thermal annealing of the membranes has been conducted to determine the materials' morphological response to various temperatures in the absence of hydration. The results of these thermal annealing studies have facilitated the isolation of morphological contributions stemming from thermal exposure. Immersion of the blend membranes in liquid water has allowed for singular identification of the role of hydration in the blend membranes' morphological rearrangement and phase stability. However, as the typical fuel cell environment to which these membranes will be exposed is complicated by the presence of both temperature and humidity, our ex-situ investigations have also included the exposure of PFCB/PVDF copolymer blend membranes to simultaneous thermal annealing and hydration conditions – a treatment we refer to as "hygrothermal aging." This unique procedure serves as a simplified method whereby the complex fuel cell environment may be simulated, and the resultant morphological response researched. While the work presented herein has enhanced our understanding of the blend stability of the specific membranes investigated, we have also advanced the fundamental knowledge of the role of morphology with respect to the fuel cell performance of blend materials and the corresponding implications of morphological rearrangements. Such an understanding is essential in the development of morphology-property relationships and eventual optimization of membrane materials designed for use in fuel cells.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-11172010-175558en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11172010-175558/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/77265en
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectproton exchange membrane fuel cellen
dc.subjectstructure-property relationshipsen
dc.subjectblend stabilityen
dc.subjectpolymer blenden
dc.subjectphase separationen
dc.subjectmembrane morphologyen
dc.subjectionomeren
dc.titleInvestigation of Phase Morphology and Blend Stability in Ionomeric Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB)/Poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) Copolymer Blend Membranesen
dc.typeDissertationen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineMacromolecular Science and Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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