Accession Number:

ADA361108

Title:

The Use of Thermal Analysis in the Characterization of a Polymer Surface

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER WATERVLIET NY BENET WEAPONS LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Fleszar, Mark F.
• Welty, Allison

Report Date:

1999-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

15.0

Abstract:

Fuel cells are electrochemical systems that convert hydrogen into electricity without combustion. A proton exchange membrane PEM fuel cell power system consists of a polymer membrane, finely disbursed catalyst, and a gas humidifying system. Thermogravimetry TGA and differential scanning calorimetry DSC are powerful tools that can be used to characterize the physical properties of a polymer membrane. Ion chromatography can monitor the presence of contaminating ions in the aqueous condensate. TGA can easily measure the distribution of metal atalysts on a polymer surface due to the much lower decomposition temperature of the polymer. DSC can be used to measure the concentration of Teflon in a polymer blend by measuring the melting energy.

Descriptors:

• *SURFACE ANALYSIS
• *POLYMERS
• *THERMAL ANALYSIS
• *FUEL CELLS
• IONS
• LOW TEMPERATURE
• PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• WATER
• ELECTROCHEMISTRY
• HYDROGEN
• MIXTURES
• COMBUSTION
• ELECTRONS
• CATHODES
• ARMY EQUIPMENT
• ELECTRODES
• CHEMICAL REACTIONS
• MELTING
• ELECTRICITY
• OXIDIZERS
• ELECTROLYTES
• CONTAMINATION
• DECOMPOSITION
• CONDENSATION
• ANODES
• CALORIMETRY
• SULFONIC ACIDS
• ELECTROCATALYSTS
• THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
• AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Subject Categories:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Electrochemical Energy Storage

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE