Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are one of the core components of AEM fuel cells. A series of poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyquaternium‐10 (PVA/PQ‐10) AEMs with semi‐interpenetrating networks (s‐IPNs) are prepared by a simple solution‐casting method using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross‐linking agent. Subsequently, the prepared PVA/PQ‐10 cross‐linked membranes are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical analysis, water uptake and swelling ratio tests, ion exchange capacity (IEC) tests, ionic conductivity measurements, and oxidative/alkaline stability tests. The effects of the mass ratio of PVA and PQ‐10 and the amount of cross‐linking agent GA on the performance of the PVA/PQ‐10 cross‐linked membranes are systematically explored. The results show that the cross‐linked PVA/PQ‐10 AEMs have high IEC and low water uptake and swelling ratio, and its maximum ionic conductivity can reach 79.37 mS cm–1 at 80 °C. In addition, the PVA/PQ‐10 cross‐linked membrane has good oxidative and alkaline stability under optimal preparation conditions. These results may provide valuable insights toward more effective scheme designs and new, simple preparation methods for AEMs with s‐IPN structures.

MgCl2 could crosslink with PVA to increase the strength and rigidity of PVA, while water could decrease the interaction.

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1-Butyl-3-methylimidazole chloride ([BMIM]Cl) plasticized starch/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blends containing inorganic salts with different cations were prepared by a Haake mixer.

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The quaternized polysulfone/polyquaternium-10 (QPSU/PQ-10) anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with a semi-interpenetrating network are prepared by the simple solution casting method. The effects of the mass ratio of chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSU) to PQ-10 and the molar ratio of quaternized chloromethyl (QCM) to cross-linked chloromethyl (CCM) on the performance of AEM are systematically investigated. The results show that the introduction of PQ-10 endows the QPSU/PQ-10 AEM with excellent mechanical performance. More specifically, the QPSU/PQ-10 AEM has moderate water uptake, swelling ratio, and ion exchange capacity (IEC) at an appropriate composition ratio and crosslinking degree. In particular, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the QP0.5-1 membrane with the optimal composition ratio and crosslinking degree are 23.63 MPa and 20.07%, respectively; and its ion conductivity is up to 69.91 mS cm −1 at 80 °C. Furthermore, the peak power density of the single fuel cell assembled from the QP0.5-1 membrane is 75.64 mW cm −2 at 60 °C. Herein, the QPSU/PQ-10 AEM has good thermal oxidation stability, mechanical properties, and ion conductivity, highlighting the potential of bio-based PQ-10 as an ion-conducting functional molecule in AEMs.

Anion exchange membranes with chemical stability, high conductivity, and high mechanical properties play an important role in alkaline fuel cells. Here, a series of CPX anion exchange membranes based on poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) and branch polyethyleneimine (BPEI) are achieved by casting, in which BPEI acts as both a crosslinking agent and an OH− conducting functional group. The introduction of BPEI facilitates the formation of good hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase separation structure, thus improving the ion transport channel of CPX membrane. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the CPX membrane are significantly improved when the mass ratio of SEBS to BPEI is within an appropriate range. The OH− conductivity of the CP2 membrane (the mass ratio of SEBS to BPEI is 2) can reach 66.63 mS cm−1 at 80 °C, and more than 80% initial OH− conductivity is maintained in 1.0 m NaOH solution for 20 d at 60 °C. The strategy of using a polymer with excellent alkali resistance and oxidation resistance as the main body and introducing a conductive group that can construct microphase separation can simultaneously improve the conductivity and membrane stability. This viable strategy is a promising construction method for anion exchange membranes that can be applied to fuel cells.