Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have attracted a great deal of attention as a substitute to proton exchange membrane fuel cells due their alkaline operating conditions. However, developing membrane with high ion conductivity and mechanical stability is still a great challenge for anion exchange membranes (AEMs). High ion conductivity for AEMs can be achieved by increasing degree of functionalization and consequently the ion exchange capacity. High degree of functionalization usually accompany with low mechanical stability, excessive swelling and high water uptake. In this study acid-base solution blending approach has been employed in order to develop anion exchange membrane with enhance mechanical stability and high hydroxyl conductivity. Quaternary ammonium poly(arylene ether sulfone) QPAES-H:N multi-block ionomers with high ion exchange capacity (basic polymer) were synthesized and solution blended with sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) branched polymer containing poly(phenyl sulfone) side chain PAES-PPSU (acidic polymer). The electrostatic interaction enhanced the miscibility of two polymers and resulted in clear solution of acid- base blend and consequently clear casted membrane. The blend membranes exhibit decrease in water uptake in comparison to pristine anion exchange membrane by more than 10% while the conductivity of the membrane decreased by only 4%. Higher mechanical stability, greater dimensional stability were resultants of acid-base blending. In this study the state of water for different blend compositions through Differential Scanning Calorimetry and the effect of water rearrangement on hydroxyl transportation has been studied.

Preparation and characterization of acid-base blend anion exchange membrane

2019 Spring National Meeting

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