Optimization of Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane design and microfabrication

Marland, Jamie R.K. and Moore, Fiona and Dunare, Camelia and Tsiamis, Andreas and Gonzalez-Fernandez, Eva and Blair, Ewen O. and Smith, Stewart and Terry, Jonathan G. and Murray, Alan F. and Walton, Anthony J. (2020) Optimization of Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane design and microfabrication. IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing, 33 (2). pp. 196-201. ISSN 0894-6507 (https://doi.org/10.1109/TSM.2020.2983875)

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Abstract

Nafion is a solid electrolyte polymer that can be used as a sensor membrane in microfabricated electrochemical oxygen sensors. It allows ions to be transported between the sensor electrodes and removes the need for a liquid electrolyte. Here we used a series of small square Nafion test structures, fabricated on a variety of materials using standard thin-film patterning techniques, to optimize the design and processing of Nafion membranes. Measurements showed that the choice of photoresist developer is critical. Use of diluted MF-26A developer provided the most effective and manufacturable process. The underlying material also had an influence on robustness, with silicon dioxide and platinum giving the longest membrane lifetime under simulated conditions of use. Membrane size had no clear effect on lifetime, and under optimal processing conditions there were minimal failures even under continuous mechanical agitation for up to six weeks. We also developed test electrodes covered by Nafion, and showed that they were effective at supporting electrochemical oxygen detection.

ORCID iDs

Marland, Jamie R.K., Moore, Fiona, Dunare, Camelia, Tsiamis, Andreas, Gonzalez-Fernandez, Eva, Blair, Ewen O. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1887-8001, Smith, Stewart, Terry, Jonathan G., Murray, Alan F. and Walton, Anthony J.;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:72092
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    31 May 2020
    Published
    27 March 2020
    Published Online
    20 March 2020
    Accepted
    Notes:© 2020 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting /republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
    Subjects:Technology > Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
    Department:Faculty of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:17 Apr 2020 13:54
    Last modified:15 Nov 2024 22:35
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/72092
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