NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Water Uptake and Interfacial Structural Changes of Thin Film Nafion® MembranesMeasured by Neutron Reflectivity for PEM Fuel Cells
Published
Author(s)
Vivek Srinivasamurthi, Joseph A. Dura, Sushil K. Satija, Charles F. Majkrzak
Abstract
Nafion thin films (500 Å) spin coated onto the Pt and Au layers on Si are investigated for water uptake and swelling. Neutron Reflectometry data demonstrate that these structures are composed of nafion layers which differ from their bulk properties in terms of their scattering length density and water uptake. However, as the relative humidity is increased, the amount of water in the layers increases for a Nafion on Au and is comparable to that observed on bulk nafion membranes only up to 80 % RH. However, the Nafion on Pt reaches complete hydration at 96% RH. Although, a single layer model was able to fit the NR data obtained on nafion under vapor conditions, only a bilayer model, with an outer less hydrated nafion and an inner more hydrated nafion layer, was able to fit the data in liquid water.
Srinivasamurthi, V.
, Dura, J.
, Satija, S.
and Majkrzak, C.
(2008),
Water Uptake and Interfacial Structural Changes of Thin Film Nafion® MembranesMeasured by Neutron Reflectivity for PEM Fuel Cells, ECS Transactions, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=610035
(Accessed October 13, 2025)