Anion-exchange membranes are used in a variety of energy and separations applications that need to operate under neutral, basic or acidic conditions. In artificial photosynthesis devices, these materials can serve as scaffolds for the light absorbing/catalytic components, which maintain a barrier between the oxidation and reduction sites and thereby separate the generated fuel from oxidation products. In addition, these membranes have to conduct ions efficiently, remain insoluble in the electrolyte and be impermeable to various gases (H2, O2).Block copolymers are good candidates for this purpose because of their ability to self-assemble into ordered bi-continuous phases, wherein one phase imparts mechanical stability to the system, while the other phase allows for the conduction of ions. A range of novel phosphonium-based diblock copolymers were synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The relationship between water uptake and anion conductivity of the ion-containing block copolymers is investigated as a function of molecular weight.

Synthesis of anion transporting membranes for artificial photosynthetic devices using RAFT polymerization

248th National Meeting (2014)

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