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Anion exchange membranes derived from nafion precursor for the alkaline fuel cell: Effect of cation type on properties
Author(s) -
Salerno Holly L. S.,
Elabd Yossef A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.37874
Subject(s) - nafion , hydroxide , membrane , ion exchange , chemistry , thermal stability , pyridinium , alkaline fuel cell , chemical stability , chemical modification , polymer chemistry , surface modification , inorganic chemistry , chemical engineering , covalent bond , ion , organic chemistry , electrochemistry , biochemistry , electrode , engineering
Abstract Highly stable hydroxide conducting membranes are necessary for solid‐state alkaline fuel cells to have long performance lifetimes. In this study, we used solid‐state chemistry to synthesize Nafion‐based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with a variety of covalently attached cations, including trimethylammonium, trimethylphosphonium, piperazinium, pyrrolidinium, pyridinium, and quaternized 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Infrared spectroscopy confirms a partial asymmetric functionalization of all cations with the exception of pyridinium. The AEMs that were successfully synthesized all exhibited sufficient water uptake and conductivity. The effect of cation type on AEM chemical and thermal stability was investigated as a function of various conditions (e.g., hydration levels, temperature, and pH). High chemical and thermal stability was observed for all successfully synthesized AEMs with the exception of the trimethylphosphonium cation AEM. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013