Mechanical properties and morphology of polystyrene-co-acrylic acid synthesized as membranes for fuel cells

Two copolymers of poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (PS-AA) were synthesized in solution by radical polymerization and partially crosslinked by adding, either trimethylol propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or divinylbenzene (DVB) to improve mechanical resistance. Copolymers were sulfonated with theoretical molar quantities of sulfuric acid (H2SO4 = 170%) and two different amounts of silver sulfate (Ag2SO4 = 0.11 or 0.055%). Materials were dissolved in...