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To enhance the ionic conductivity and mechanical property of the chemically stable aliphatic anion exchange membranes (AEMs), cross-linked poly­(vinylbenzyl chloride) AEMs (PVBC-xQ4) bearing long flexible cross-linker chains with multiple quaternary ammonium (QA) head were prepared via a facile one-step process. The AEMs exhibit high conductivity and excellent mechanical property. The cross-linked AEMs excluding any other heteroatomic bond especially the sulfone linkage or ether bond in the backbone have robust alkaline stability, low water uptake, and good dimensional stability. A well-developed hydrophilic/hydrophobic phase separated morphology was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PVBC-50Q4 membrane with ionic exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.87 mequiv g–1 displays a highest ionic conductivity of 74.3 mS cm–1 at 80 °C. After tested in a 2 M aqueous KOH solution at 80 °C for 1300 h, 88% of the conductivity and 89% of the IEC were remained. Furthermore, a single cell using the PVBC-50Q4 membrane has a maximum peak power density of 109.2 mW cm–2 at 60 °C.

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