We request one days beam time on SANS2D for the study of hydrated, radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes synthesised with different grafting times. These materials are some of the most promising anion-exchange membranes for use in energy applications (such as fuel cells and water electrolysers). Ionic conductivity varies significantly with grafting time, whereas ion exchange capacity remains constant, therefore it is proposed that the changes in the hydrated membranes morphologies is responsible for the differences in conductivity. We propose to collect SANS data for membranes with five different grafting times in order to elucidate the connection between ionic conductivity and mesoscale morphology.
