The use of renewable energy sources and efficient energy storage systems is one option to reduce the future
CO2 emission. Presently, redox-flow batteries are considered as potential alternative energy storage systems.
In vanadium redox-flow batteries, a low cost and widely useable polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) with
high proton conductivity, low electron conductivity and low gas permeability as well as good mechanical and
thermal stability is required. Previously, low-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared by
electron induced activation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) backbone
material (ETFE). After electron activation in air, the activated PVDF and ETFE foils was stored at -30 ℃
prior to grafting in order to limit the loss of trapped radicals before subsequent graft radical copolymerization
in the temperature range from 60 ℃ to 80 ℃.
The radical copolymerization depends on the thickness and swelling of backbone material, diffusion of monomers,
density and types of trapped radicals, and microstructure of the backbone material.
With respect to a tailored design of the electron-induced activation of backbone material, detailed information
on the influence of type and number of trapped radicals on the graft radical copolymerization is required. The
electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of PVDF and ETFE films were studied in order to identify type
and concentration of trapped radicals after an electron treatment with 125 kGy in air at room temperature.
The observed EPR spectra of PVDF and ETFE consist of superimposed signals of eight different radicals and
six different radicals, respectively. The individual spectra were simulated by first derivatives of normalized
Gaussian functions including intensity, linewidth, g value, and hyperfine splitting constants of the unpaired
electron with hydrogen or fluorine atoms in α or β positions. In addition, the number of trapped radicals was
estimated using a standard sample of known spin concentrations. The predominant radical in PVDF and ETFE
is the CH-based mid-chain radical (-CF2-C*H-CF2-) and the peroxy radical, respectively.
Detailed EPR measurements in the temperature range from 40 ℃ to 80 ℃ without grafting agent will be compared
with those EPR measurements at defined time of graft radical copolymerization. This information will
be used to evaluate the effect of different types of trapped radicals on the subsequent graft radical copolymerization.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the German Science Foundation DFG for funding this work within the project “Polymer
electrolyte membranes (PEM) for vanadium redox flow batteries” (project number: 411688235).