[PERFLUOROSULFONATE IONOMER] [MIXED INORGANIC OXIDE] NANOCOMPOSITES VIA POLYMER IN-SITU SOL-GEL CHEMISTRY

[Mixed-metal oxide]/[Nafion] hybrid films were formulated via in situ sol-gel reactions for tetrabutyl titanate/tetraethoxysilane and for al uminum tri-sec-butoxide/tetraethoxysilane alkoxide pairs. Inorganic co mposition profiles across film thicknesses were investigated via X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy with an environmental scanning microsc ope. Mechanical tensile analysis was used to infer inorganic oxide nan ophase/Nafion interfacial interactions, as well as interknitting of in organic oxide nanoparticles. The TiO2 component within the titaniasili cate-filled hybrids was concentrated in glassy near-surface regions, w hereas the SiO2-Al2O3 phase within aluminasilicate-filled hybrids was distributed homogeneously causing mechanical ductility. Investigations of structural topology within the inorganic oxide phases were conduct ed via IR and NMR spectroscopies.