Alkaline polymers of intrinsic microporosity: high-conduction and low-loss anhydrous proton exchange membranes for energy conversion

The development of anhydrous high-temperature proton-exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) combining durable high proton conductivity and modest mechanical properties is a huge challenge to macromolecular design and engineering. HT-PEMs with microporous structures, constructed by the inefficient chain packin...

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Published inJournal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 9; no. 7; pp. 3925 - 393
Main Authors Zhou, Shengyang, Guan, Jiayu, Li, Ziqin, Huang, Lei, Zheng, Jifu, Li, Shenghai, Zhang, Suobo
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 23.02.2021
Subjects
Conductivity
Energy conversion
High temperature
Highways
Imidazole
Macromolecules
Mechanical properties
Membranes
Microporosity
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Phosphoric acid
Polymers
Protons
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Summary:The development of anhydrous high-temperature proton-exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) combining durable high proton conductivity and modest mechanical properties is a huge challenge to macromolecular design and engineering. HT-PEMs with microporous structures, constructed by the inefficient chain packing of contorted and rigid polymer backbones with imidazole, are reported for the first time. It is found that the widespread and interconnected microporosity of the polymers endows the HT-PEMs with an excellent phosphoric acid (PA) doping level (ADL) and a corresponding superhigh proton conductivity, as well as suitable mechanical properties and PA-retention ability. An outstanding proton conductivity of 330.3 mS cm −1 is obtained at 180 °C under an anhydrous atmosphere, which is superior to those of reported HT-PEMs with far higher ADLs (<260 mS cm −1 ). The high and stable proton conductivity appears to be related to the interconnected intrinsic microporosity, which increases the PA storage and provides proton-carriers with several highways for fast transport. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity, with high volume and capillary force, can meet the requirements of PA adsorption and retention for HT-PEMs. The widespread and interconnected microstructure realized state-of-the-art HT-PEMs with fast proton transfer.
Bibliography:1
H-NMR, FT-IR and thermal/mechanical properties. See DOI
10.1039/d0ta12100b
Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available
ISSN:2050-7488
2050-7496
DOI:10.1039/d0ta12100b