Alkaline anion exchange membrane with semi-interpenetrating polymer network (s-IPN) was constituted based upon quaternized poly(butyl acrylate-co-vinylbenzyl chloride) (QPBV) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)]. The QPBV was synthesized via the free radical copolymerization, followed by quaternization with N-methylimidazole. The s-IPN system was constituted by melting blend of QPBV and P(VDF-HFP), and then crosslinking of P(VDF-HFP). Ion exchange capacity, water uptake, mechanical performance, and thermal stability of these membranes were characterized. TEM showed that alkaline anion exchange membrane exhibited s-IPN morphology with microphase separation. The fabricated s-IPN membrane exhibited hydroxide ion conductivity up to 15 mS cm 21 at 25 8C and a maximum DMFC power density of 46.55 mW cm 22 at a load current density of 98 mA cm 22 at 30 8C.
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