Dual-network Elastomer–Hydrogel Proton Exchange Membranes with Enhanced Conductivity and Mechanical Robustness

Ghasem Payam; Hamid Radmanesh; Kiyumars Jalili

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3846-8

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Dual-network Elastomer–Hydrogel Proton Exchange Membranes with Enhanced Conductivity and Mechanical Robustness

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-11-10

- Dual-network Elastomer–Hydrogel Proton Exchange Membranes with Enhanced Conductivity and Mechanical Robustness
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Pages: 1-13(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, New Town of Sahand, Tabriz 5331817634, Iran
  b.Institute of Polymeric Materials, Sahand University of Technology, New Town of Sahand, Tabriz 5331817634, Iran
  c.Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Socinl Technologies, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran 1955847881, Iran
- Author bio：
  
  hamidradmanesh@iau.ac.ir (H.R.)
  k_jalili@sut.ac.ir (K.J.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3846-8
  CLC：
- Received：05 June 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-08-12，
  
  Accepted：14 August 2026，
  
  Online First：10 November 2026，
  
  Published：2026-09
- Accepted：
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Payam, G.; Radmanesh, H.; Jalili, K. Dual-network elastomer–hydrogel proton exchange membranes with enhanced conductivity and mechanical robustness. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3846-8

Ghasem Payam, Hamid Radmanesh, Kiyumars Jalili. Dual-network Elastomer–Hydrogel Proton Exchange Membranes with Enhanced Conductivity and Mechanical Robustness[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-13.
Payam, G.; Radmanesh, H.; Jalili, K. Dual-network elastomer–hydrogel proton exchange membranes with enhanced conductivity and mechanical robustness. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3846-8 DOI：

Ghasem Payam, Hamid Radmanesh, Kiyumars Jalili. Dual-network Elastomer–Hydrogel Proton Exchange Membranes with Enhanced Conductivity and Mechanical Robustness[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-13. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3846-8.

摘要

Abstract

The development of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) that simultaneously offer high proton conductivity and mechanical stability remains a critical challenge for fuel cell applications. Herein

we report a hybrid dual-network elastomer–hydrogel PEM (EH-PEM) synthesized

via

in situ

polymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS)

methyl methacrylate (MMA)

and acrylic acid (AAc) within a hydrophilic methacrylated waterborne polyurethane (WPU−MA) elastomeric network. This design combines the elasticity and dimensional stability of WPU−MA with the hydrophilicity and ionic characteristics of the AMPS/AAc network

forming continuous pathways for efficient proton transport under hydrated conditions. The successful synthesis of WPU−MA was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

dynamic light scattering (DLS)

and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The ion exchange capacity (IEC)

water uptake

and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (E

IS) analyses further verified the formation of interconnected ionic domains. A series of membranes with varying AMPS contents were prepared

where increasing the AMPS content enhanced proton conductivity (16–98 mS·cm

−1

at 80 °C) and reduced the activation energy for proton transport (9.6–9.7 kJ·mol

−1

)

while oxidative stability remained within 97%–62% retention after 96 h. Temperature-dependent conductivity and reduced activation energy suggest a combined Grotthuss–vehicle proton transport mechanism

where hydrogen bond rearrangements and sulfonic/carboxylic groups synergistically facilitated proton migration. This strategy provides a scalable platform for flexible hydrocarbon-based proton exchange membranes with markedly improved mechanical integrity compared to conventional AMPS-based hydrogel PEMs and demonstrates promising

ex situ

characteristics as a low-cost candidate material for potential use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

关键词

Keywords

references

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