Microwave Synthesis of New Co-Polypyrrole-Polyketone Anion Exchange Membranes

Abstract

Polyketones can be easily converted in a series of new polymeric anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with a stable polypyrrole-polyketone backbone structure from which the ion exchange side-groups stem [1-3]. Here we present our findings on the functionalization with two different cycloaliphatic primary amines of a commercial and inexpensive terpolymer polyketone (PK) through the Paal-Knorr chemistry. We also studied the possibility to drastically reduce the reaction time by investigating alternative and greener heating sources such as microwave heating. The molecular structure, thermal and conductive properties of the membranes were studied in order to shed light on and compare the effect of the different heating methods on the materials behavior [4], and to lead the way to their further optimization for the possible application in electrochemical devices. The obtained membranes showed a promising anion conductivity in the hydroxide form, up to 10mScm-1, and an exceptional thermal stability, about 250°C.[1] G.Nawn, K.Vezzù, G.Cavinato, G.Pace, F.Bertasi, G.Pagot, E.Negro, V. Di Noto, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2018, 1706522[2] N.Ataollahi, F.Girardi, E.Cappelletto, K.Vezzù, V.Di Noto, P.Scardi, E.Callone, R.Di Maggio. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2017, 134, 45485.[3] A.R.Alvi, K.Vezzù, , G.Pagot, P.Sgarbossa, G.Pace, V.Di Noto, Macromolecular Chemistry & Physics. 2022, 223, 2100409.[4] S.Bonizzoni, D.Stucchi, T.Caielli, E.Sediva, M.Mauri, P.Mustarelli, ChemElectroChem. 2023, e202201077. Figure 1