Effect of gamma radiation on crosslinking, water uptake and ion exchange on polystyrene-co-acrylic acid copolymers useful for fuel cells

Copolymers of styrene-co-acrylic acid were synthesized by radical bulk copolymerization and sulfonated during 3 different periods of time (1, 2 or 3 h). Sulfonation reactions were carried out with sulfuric acid catalyzed with silver sulfate, at a level of 170% of benzene rings theoretically present in the copolymer. Membranes of the sulfonated copolymers were prepared by casting from their THF solutions and then subjected to gamma irradiation...