New block poly(ether sulfone) based anion exchange membranes with rigid side-chains and high-density quaternary ammonium groups for fuel cell application

Abstract

We report a series of novel poly(ether sulfone) based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with relatively good stability due to their rigid side-chains and heterocyclic quaternary ammonium groups. The AEMs show appropriate performance in AEM fuel cells.

Recent progress in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in water electrolysis: synthesis, physio-chemical analysis, properties, and applications

“…Furthermore, XPS was used to study the structural analysis of block copolymer-based PES and quaternized with high-density QAs (MPy) and crosslinked with a lengthy rigid side chain. 321 In this study, block copolymer PES that had been MPy treated showed that C-N and N 1s at 399.2 and 401.7 eV were obtained, respectively, by the polymer backbone and QAs (MPy). Only C-Br peaks at 70.9 eV were visible in the brominated PES polymer, while an additional peak at the Br ion at 67.1 eV was visible aer functionalization with MPy.…”

Enhanced Performance and Stability of Poly(carbazole)-Based Anion Exchange Membranes via Synergistic Dual Side Chains for Fuel Cell Applications

“…56,57 However, this peak does not appear in the spectrum of ionized ionomer Q-BOC-OEC-1/1. Conversely, a peak attributed to the bromide ions (Br − ) appears at the binding energy of 66−68 eV, 56,57 indicating that the alkyl bromine in the copolymer is basically completely ionized with trimethylamine. Figure S3b shows the energy spectra of the chloride ion in the unionized copolymer and the ionized Q-BOC-OEC-1/3.…”

“…However, unlike AFM tests under conventional conditions, where the membrane can absorb moisture in the air to enlarge the hydrophilic region, TEM is tested under vacuum conditions, so the size of the hydrophilic region is significantly smaller than that in the corresponding AFM image. 50,57 3.5. Thermal and Mechanical Properties.…”

Preparation of Random Polymers by Copolymerization of Rigid-Twisted Spirobiindane with Poly(aryl isatin) for High-Performance Anion Exchange Membranes

“…Hence, many studies reported that the combination of cross-linking with high IEC could realize a balance between conductivity and swelling. − However, there is a tradeoff between conductivity and mechanical property for performing the cross-linking reactions. It has been found that the ion transport could be promoted via constructing continuous ion transport channels with suitable microphase separation by using polymers such as comb-typed polymers, − block copolymers, − side chain polymers, − etc. However, the formation of the microphase separation structure is still closely relevant to the IEC of the polymer.…”