Crosslinked high-performance anion exchange membranes based on poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene)

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 551; pp. 66 - 75
• Main Authors: Hao, Jinkai, Gao, Xueqiang, Jiang, Yongyi, Zhang, Hongjie, Luo, Jiangshui, Shao, Zhigang, Yi, Baolian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Alkaline stability; Anion exchange membrane fuel cell; Crosslinked membrane; Microphase separation; SEBS; Anion exchange membrane fuel cell; Microphase separation; SEBS; Crosslinked membrane; Alkaline stability
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.01.033

Development of anion exchange membranes with good dimension, chemical stability, high conductivity and long life-time simultaneously is still a challenge for practical application of anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Herein, a mechanically and chemically stable poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) triblock copolymer based crosslinked membranes are designed, prepared and characterized. N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine is introduced into the membranes as the crosslinker and functional reagent, which exhibits the significant improvement in water uptake (less than 7%), swelling ratio (8–5%, greatly smaller than uncrosslinked membranes) and tensile strength (higher than 18MPa). The hydroxide conductivity (14.9mScm−1 at 30°C) of the obtained membrane is obtained due to hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase separation formed between the structure of crosslinking and quaternary ammonium groups. It demonstrates that incorporating stable crosslinking structure to polymer backbone greatly improves the chemical stability under Fenton and alkaline long-term tests. Furthermore, the peak power density of an H2/O2 single fuel cells reaches high peak power density of 416mWcm−2 at 0.514V. Based on these outstanding properties, the developed crosslinked membranes will be a promising candidate material for anion exchange membrane fuel cells. [Display omitted] •The crosslinked triblock SEBS based AEMs were prepared with a facile method.•TMHDA was used as both crosslinker and functional reagent.•The AEMs show good dimension stability and low swelling ratio.•The crosslinked AEMs exhibit good oxidative stability and alkaline stability.•A peak power density of 416mWcm−2 was obtained in AEMFC.