Determination of local chemistry and transport properties in fuel cell membranes is crucial for predicting and optimizing performance. By combining High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HRMAS) NMR and Pulse Field Gradient (PFG) diffusion experiments it is demonstrated that different environments in alkaline fuel cell polymer membranes could be resolved. These HRMAS experiments clearly reveal the heterogeneous nature of solvent-membrane interactions and �open the door� to measuring local equilibrium constants, diffusion, and exchange rates in mixed solvent systems.

Opening the door on heterogeneous diffusion in polymer membranes using HRMAS NMR PFG

245th National Meeting (2013)

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