The morphology in nafion† perfluorinated membrane products, as determined by wide- and small-angle x-ray studies

The morphology of the ionomer resin from which Nafion perfluorinated membrane products are made was studied with wide-angle and small-angle x-ray diffraction. A reflection observed in the small-angle x-ray scan from hydrolyzed polymer is attributed to ionic clustering. The effects of equiv wt, cation form, temperature, water content, and tensile drawing on this reflection were studied and are discussed.