Ion transport and clustering in nafion perfluorinated membranes

A theory of ion-clustering is presented for Nation resins. An expression for the cluster diameter is derived; it correctly describes the experimental variations in cluster diameter with cation form, equivalent weight, and water content of the polymers. The theory further suggests that short channels connecting adjacent clusters are thermodynamically stable in support of the cluster-network model proposed by one of us earlier. The percolative aspects of ion transport and an ionic insulator-to-conductor transition in Nation resins are discussed.