Abstract
Imidazolium hydroxide anion exchange membranes functionalized with conjugated tetraphenylethylene moieties were synthesized via Ni(0) catalyzed polymerization by sequential chloromethylation, substitution with imidazoliums and ion exchange. Moreover, with their pendant benzoyl groups the copolymers showed high molecular weight, durability, thermo-oxidative stability, high solubility in polar aprotic solvents and strong chemical and thermal stability in comparison to alkyl quaternary ammonium-functionalized polymers. The proposed polymer membranes, without ether linkages, demonstrated improved performance in ion exchange capacity, water uptake, ion conductivity, and thermal stability. The polymer membranes were studied by 1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, water uptake, ion exchange capacity and ion conductivity. Surface morphologies were assessed by atomic force microscope (AFM). The synthesized polymers may have applications as fuel cell membranes because of their excellent ion conductivity.
Highlights
Fuel cells are eco-friendly power sources having high energy density
Quaternary ammonium functionalized anion exchange membranes (QAAEM) have been developed and many researchers have revealed that the QAAEMs possess low conductivity and poor stability [10,11,12,13,14,15]
The common possible degradation pathways of quaternary ammonium species associated with OHions include Hoffman (E2) elimination, direct nucleophilic substitution (SN2) and ylide formation [3,4,16,17,18]
Summary
Compared to other types of polymer electrolyte membranes, perfluorosulfonic acid polymers are more effective [1,2] but in the same time they tend to be expensive. To overcome these demerits, alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs) are being developed [3,4,5]. Alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs) are being developed [3,4,5] They employ electrode catalysts (Fe/Co/Ni/Ag) and show better cathode kinetics than other fuel cells [6,7,8,9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
