Anion-Exchange Membrane with Poly(3,3’-(hexyl) bis(1-vinylimidazolium) bromide)/PVC Composites Prepared by Inter-polymerization

Abstract

The advanced anion-exchange membranes with the poly(3,3’-(hexyl)bis(1-vinylimidazolium)bromide), PHVB, was synthesized by inter-polymerization of a 3,3'-(hexyl)bis(1-vinylimidazolium) bromide in poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, solution. We confirmed the successful preparation of the advanced anion-exchange membrane (AEM) such as ionic conductivity (S/cm), water uptake (%), ion-exchange capacity (meq/g), vanadium permeability, thermal properties, and SEM analysis, respectively. The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) performances using the prepared AEM based on PHVB/PVC composite polymers in organic electrolytes was examined. In the prepared advanced AEM, the maximum voltages reached 2.5 V under the fixed current value of 0.005mA. The synthesized advanced AEM has also good stability with organic electrolyte by battery performance under 1000 cycles. As results, the advanced AEM based on PHVB/PVC prepared by the inter-polymerization is suitable for use as a battery separator in VRFB.