Imidazolium-functionalized poly(arylene ether sulfone) block copolymer as an anion exchange membrane for alkaline fuel cell

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 111 - 119
• Main Authors: Rao, Anil H.N., Thankamony, Roshni Lilly, Kim, Hyoung-Juhn, Nam, Sukwoo, Kim, Tae-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 08.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: anion exchange; Anion exchange membrane; Applied sciences; Block copolymer; bromination; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; fuel cells; hydrophobicity; Imidazolium-functionalized polymer; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymers; Polymers with particular properties; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Technology of polymers; Anion exchange membrane; Imidazolium-functionalized polymer; Block copolymer; Ethersulfone copolymer; Imidazole derivatives; Electrical properties; Solution polycondensation; Bromination; Size stability; Chemical stability; Ionic conductivity; Polymer solid electrolyte; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Thermal stability; Cardo polymer; Chemical modification; Functionalization; Morphology; Preparation; Aromatic copolymer; Imidazole derivative copolymer; Nucleophilic substitution; Fluorene derivative copolymer
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2012.11.023

An ethyl imidazolium-functionalized poly(arylene ether sulfone) (EI-PES) block copolymer was prepared as a novel anion exchange membrane. The EI-PES polymer was synthesized by polycondensation between the F- and OH-terminated oligomers, followed by benzylic bromination and imidazolium functionalization (homogeneous functionalization). The quaternary ammonium-functionalized PES (QA-PES) was also prepared by heterogeneous functionalization, and the properties were compared with EI-PES. The membrane obtained from EI-PES showed a well-defined phase separated morphology between hydrophobic and hydrophilic ionic units of the block copolymer. An IEC of 1.45 meq/g with hydroxide conductivity of 0.03 S/cm at r.t. was observed for EI-PES. The EI-PES membrane also displayed excellent dimensional, thermal, mechanical and chemical stabilities. [Display omitted]