Cross‐Linked Spirocyclic Quaternary Ammonium‐Based Anion Exchange Membrane with Tunable Properties for Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

The alkaline stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is crucial to the performance of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Here, we have prepared and characterization of a series of new spirocyclic quaternary ammonium‐based AEMs with good alkaline stability. The AEMs was obtained by UV‐initiated polymerization of N, N‐diallylpiperidinium bromide ([DAPip][Br]), styrene and acrylonitrile. The water uptake, swelling ratio, IEC and conductivity of the AEMs increase with increasing the [DAPip][Br] content. The transparent and mechanically robust AEMs show high conductivities (7.99×10−2 S cm−1 at 80 °C) and good alkaline stability in 1 M KOH solution at 80 °C. The single cell with [DAPip][OH]20 showed a maximum power density of 93.9 mW cm−2. The spirocyclic quaternary ammonium‐based AEMs with an aliphatic backbone will open up new prospects for the preparation of AEMs with excellent alkaline stability and high conductivity.

Editors’ Choice—Examining Performance and Durability of Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with Novel Spirocyclic Anion Exchange Membranes

“…3,47 In fact, the power densities reported for this work are exceptional relative to other spirocyclic AEMs reported to date. 48,49 As previously mentioned, the electrodes have been fabricated using identical fabrication processes for all of the evaluated MEAs. Correcting the polarization curves to HFR-free voltage, Fig.…”

Application of Ionized Intrinsic Microporous Poly(phenyl-alkane)s as Alkaline Ionomers for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

“…35 While assessing the properties of QP2-CF 3 -1−3 and QP2-CN-1−3, it became clear that the tensile strength decreased and the elongation at break increased with the increasing content of spirobisindane monomer. This phenomenon can be explained as follows: ionomers with a higher IEC will absorb more water from the air, which acts as a plasticizer and leads to lower tensile strength; 54,55 simultaneously, the spirobisindane structure may enhance the toughness of the polymer chains.…”

Elastic and Conductive Cross‐linked Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Polyphenylene Oxide and Poly(vinyl alcohol) for H2‐O2 Fuel Cells

“…[24] Regrettably, this type of AEMs might compromise their ionic conductivity, partly due to the cross-linking groups occupying functional sites. [25] Furthermore, conventional cross-linking structures impede the internal rotation of the polymer, leading to a reduction in the membrane's elongation at break. [26] Another common approach is to fabricate micro-separation morphologies, which can optimize ion transport channels and restrict over-swelling of AEMs, leading to high ionic conductivity at relatively low IECs.…”