In the manuscript, we report the design and preparation of hyper-branched polymer electrolytes intended for alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells. The resulting membrane exhibits high conductivity, lower water swelling and shows prolonged chemical stability under alkaline conditions.
A novel ionomer was designed that will not poison the catalyst in alkaline fuel cells, by incorporating for the first time N-methyl pyrrolidine-C60 cation in polymeric anion exchange ionomers. The resultant fullerene-based anion exchange ionomer shows an extremely high hydroxide conductivity (182 mS cm(-1)) at a low cation concentration (0.62 mmol g(-1)).
For anion exchange membranes (AEMs), achieving efficient hydroxide conductivity without excessive hydrophilicity presents a challenge. Hence, new strategies for constructing mechanically strengthened and hydroxide conductive (especially at controlled humidity) membranes are critical for developing better AEMs. Macromolecular modification involving ylide chemistry (Wittig reaction) for the fabrication of novel AEMs with an interpenetrating polymer network structure is reported. The macromolecular modification is cost effective, facile, and based on a one-pot synthesis. AEM water uptake is reduced to 3.6 wt% and a high hydroxide conductivity (69.7 mS cm(-1) , 90 °C) is achieved simultaneously. More importantly, the membrane exhibits similar tensile strength (>35 MPa) and comparable flexibility in both dry and wet states. These AEMs could find further applications within anion exchange membrane fuel cells with low humidity or photoelectric assemblies.
Membranes, Artificial , Anions/chemistry , Bioelectric Energy Sources , Electric Conductivity , Electrodes , Hydroxides/chemistry , Ion Exchange , Phenyl Ethers/chemistry , Polymers/chemistry , Tensile Strength , Water/chemistry
