Durability of Irradiated Polymers in Solid-Polymer-Electrolyte Water Electrolyzer

Abstract

The durability of irradiated organic polymers in solid-polymer-electrolyte water electrolyzer was investigated by gamma-ray irradiation tests around 500 kGy. Serious deteriorations for the tensile strength and ion exchange capacity of the ion exchange membrane (Nafion®) were not observed up to 850 kGy. No serious damage was also observed for tensile strength of the gasket materials (Aflas®) up to 500 kGy. The insulator materials (PFA and FEP) lost their tensile strength at 200 kGy and 300 kGy, respectively. From the above results, we can safely say that the electrolysis cell could be used up to around 500 kGy of irradiation conditions in the case where PFA and FEP are replaced by the polyimide resin which durability against the irradiation is well demonstrated. Two degrading mechanisms were supposed as the effect of irradiation. One is the direct degradation of the chain and branch by gamma-ray. The other is degradation by the attack of radicals. It was demonstrated that the effect of radicals on degradation of the membrane was not dominant. In addition, oxygen was observed to have a large influence on degradation. The quantity of dissolved fluorine in water that could be measured easily was found to correlate closely with tensile strength and ion exchange capacity. Hence, it is possible to evaluate the degradation of ion exchange membrane by monitoring the quantity of dissolved fluorine in water. Concerning the difference of degrading mechanism of the ion exchange membrane due to irradiation source, the combinations of tensile strength, ion exchange capacity and quantity of dissolved fluorine are proposed as deterioration indexes.