Mechanical spectroscopy of metal/polymer composite membranes for hydrogen separation

In the present work, mechanical properties of metal-polymer composite membranes for hydrogen separation have been investigated by tensile test and mechanical spectroscopy methods. The membranes were prepared by high-energy ball milling and subsequent thermal pressing of a powder mixture of polyethylene with 10 wt% hydride-forming intermetallic compound LaNi2.5Co2.4Mn0.1. The membranes were then subjected to activation by long exposure in a hydrogen atmosphere. The static tensile test showed a slight decrease in membrane tensile strength after hydrogen activation that may be explained by intermetallic particle embrittlement. Mechanical spectroscopy study reveals a shift of the internal friction peak of the activated membrane by 22 K towards lower temperatures and a small decrease of the activation energy of polyethylene viscoelastic transformation from 144 kJ/mol to 138 kJ/mol. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated the mechanical properties of metal-polymer composite membranes for hydrogen separation through tensile tests and mechanical spectroscopy. It was found that the membrane's tensile strength slightly decreased after hydrogen activation, possibly due to intermetallic particle embrittlement. Mechanical spectroscopy analysis showed a shift in the activated membrane's internal friction peak towards lower temperatures and a small decrease in polyethylene's viscoelastic transformation activation energy.