The swelling of a polymer ion-exchange membrane Nafion in water with various heavy isotope contents (D2O) was studied by photoluminescent UV spectroscopy. The photoluminescence arises because of the presence of sulfonic groups attached to the ends of the perfluorovinyl ether groups that form the tetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) backbone of Nafion. The width of the colloidal region, which is formed near the membrane surface as a result of the outgrowth of Nafion microfibers toward the bulk liquid, varies non-monotonically with D2O content, displaying a narrow maximum in the low concentration region. A significant insight into the unexpected isotopic effects revealed in swelling Nafion in deuterated water is provided. Mainly, the polymer swelling is very sensitive to small changes (on the order of several tens of parts per million) in the content of deuterium, which, for instance, can help in understanding the isotopic effects in living tissues.
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Near-surface structure of Nafion in deuterated water
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28 October 2018
Research Article|
October 23 2018
Near-surface structure of Nafion in deuterated water
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N. F. Bunkin
;
N. F. Bunkin
1
Bauman Moscow State Technical University
, Second Baumanskaya Str. 5, Moscow 105005, Russia
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A. V. Shkirin;
A. V. Shkirin
2
Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
, Vavilova Str. 38, Moscow 119991, Russia
3
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI
, Kashirskoe Sh. 31, Moscow 115409, Russia
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V. A. Kozlov
;
V. A. Kozlov
1
Bauman Moscow State Technical University
, Second Baumanskaya Str. 5, Moscow 105005, Russia
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B. W. Ninham
;
B. W. Ninham
4
The Australian National University
, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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E. V. Uspenskaya
;
E. V. Uspenskaya
5
RUDN University
, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, Moscow 117198, Russia
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S. V. Gudkov
S. V. Gudkov
2
Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
, Vavilova Str. 38, Moscow 119991, Russia
6
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod
, Gagarina Ave., 23, Nizhni Novgorod 603950, Russia
7
Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute (“MONIKI”)
, Shchepkina Str. 61/2, Moscow 129110, Russia
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J. Chem. Phys. 149, 164901 (2018)
Article history
Received:
May 29 2018
Accepted:
September 14 2018
Citation
N. F. Bunkin, A. V. Shkirin, V. A. Kozlov, B. W. Ninham, E. V. Uspenskaya, S. V. Gudkov; Near-surface structure of Nafion in deuterated water. J. Chem. Phys. 28 October 2018; 149 (16): 164901. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5042065
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