A series of sulfonated poly(biphenyl alkylene)s, SPBAs have been synthesized and tested as candidates for alkaline redox flow battery cation exchange membranes. Free standing films can be cast from solution and used for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), GPC, NMR, FTIR and reagent permeability measurements and redox flow battery testing. Ionic conductivity was measured as a function of electrolyte composition and was found to correlate with the water uptake of these materials. The ionic conductivity of these membranes as measured by EIS was higher or comparable to those measured for Nafion 112. Notably, the permeability of redox-active reagents across these films was at least one order of magnitude lower than the values measured for perflurinated analogs. NMR and FTIR studies indicate that the polymers remain stable after exposure to strongly alkaline aqueous environments, pH&gt;12, for longer periods of time than those measured for sulfonated PEEK-based materials. During cell resting, these SPBA membranes exhibited power densities higher than those measured for perfluorinated membranes under the same conditions. Thermally crosslinkable or hydrophobic aromatic moieties were introduced into the SPBA backbone to study the effect of polymer chain packing on molecule cross-over, ion transport and water uptake. The effect of polymer composition on the membrane properties and electrochemical cell performance will be discussed.

Moving beyond perfluorinated polymers: Sulfonated poly(aryl alkylene)s as ion exchange membranes for alkaline redox flow batteries

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.