Robust, dimensional stable, and self-healable anion exchange membranes via quadruple hydrogen bonds

Abstract

Quadruple hydrogen bonds have been introduced in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) to form supramolecular network. Specifically, 2-((3-(dimethylamino) propyl) carbonyldiamino)-6-methyl-4-[1H]-pyrimidinone (DCMP) and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) with quaternary ammonium cations as well as pendant DCMP are synthesized via Friedel-Crafts acylation, ketone reduction, and quaternization sequentially. Finally, a new type of anionic conducting membranes based-on functionalized SEBS, which is cross-linked via quadruple hydrogen bonds provided by pendant DCMP moieties, is obtained. The prepared AEMs have good thermal and chemical stability, significantly improved mechanical properties without sacrificing ionic conductivity and easily realized self-healing ability, which make the anion exchange membranes have the potential of long-term stable use.