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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