Well‐organized hydroxide channels are constructed by introducing quaternary ammonium phthalocyanine (QAPc) into anion exchange membranes. A hydroxide conductivity as high as 236.2 mS cm−1@80 °C is successfully achieved by striking a balance between the self‐aggregation advantage and the weak basicity weakness of the QAPc side chains. The strong π–π interaction between QAPc macrocycles is utilized to force the positive charged head groups to aggregate for the formation of hydroxide channels, and trimethylamine (TMA) head groups are added to increase regional OH− mobility. 5 nm hydroxide channels are confirmed by synchrotron radiation and transmission electron microscope methods. Coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation provide further theoretical chemistry evidences for the enhanced OH− transportation mechanism in the QAPc‐containing AEMs.
The oxygen reduction reaction is the crucial cathodic reaction for all fuel cells. The catalyst functions only if the oxygen gas-feeding, electron-conducting, ion-transporting, and water-draining channels are linked to the catalyst sites. This report designed and synthesized a 3-in-1 polymer that contains three features: catalysts, electron conductors, and ion conductors. The interspace between the aggregated polymers acts as the oxygen gas-feeding and water-draining channels. Therefore, the performance of a flexible Zn–air battery whose reactions are catalyzed by the invented 3-in-1 polymer is much better than that of a battery made from a mixture of commercial Pt/C catalyst powder, ion-exchange polymer, and additives due to the high catalytic utility of the 3-in-1 polymer catalyst. We believe that the invented 3-in-1 polymer may open up new paths to enhance fuel cell commercialization.
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