Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are the crucial components of alkaline fuel cells. Insufficient alkaline stability of AEMs at high temperatures limits the commercialization of AEM fuel cell technology. Herein we report the design, synthesis, and stability measurements of novel imidazolium-based anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cell applications. Degradation rates and mechanisms of small organic cations were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and rationalized using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The most stable imidazoliums were polymerized to produce robust AEMs. The stability of membranes was examined using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) technique. The stability profiles of small organic cations and AEMs will be correlated and discussed in detail.

Towards exceptionally stable imidazolium cations for anion-exchange membrane applications

256th National Meeting (2018)

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