Reinforced poly(fluorenyl-co-terphenyl piperidinium) anion exchange membranes for fuel cells

Abstract

Mechanically tough and durable anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are vital materials for AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs). Here, we report a series of high-performance high density polyethylene (PE)-reinforced in-house AEMs based on poly(fluorenyl-co-terphenyl piperidinium) (PFTP@PE) using EtOH as an assistant co-solvent. We found that EtOH showed low contact angle and interface tension on the PE substrate, which improved the penetration efficiency of polymer solutions in the PE substrate. Specifically, 15% EtOH-assisted PFTP@PE membranes displayed ∼100% visible light transmittance and outstanding tensile strength greater than 120 MPa (along with ∼50% elongation at break) compared to PFTP@PE without EtOH assistance (51% light transmittance and 80 MPa tensile strength). Moreover, the peak power densities of PFTP@PE-based AEMFCs reach 1.7 W cm −2 in H 2 –O 2 and 1.08 W cm −2 in H 2 -air(CO 2 free) at 80 °C. The present work provides a facile and scalable method to fabricate high-performance reinforced AEMs. • Reinforced PFTP membranes (RCM) were prepared with a porous polyethylene substrate. • Ethanol aids the preparation of RCM due to the low contact angle and surface tension. • PFTP RCMs displayed excellent mechanical stability and transparency. • The power densities of RCM AEMFCs reached 1.7 W cm −2 in H 2 –O 2 and 1.08 W cm −2 in H 2 -air at 80 °C.