Premium
A Semi‐Interpenetrating Network Approach for Dimensionally Stabilizing Highly‐Charged Anion Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
He Steve S.,
Strickler Alaina L.,
Frank Curtis W.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201500133
Subject(s) - membrane , polysulfone , hydroxide , conductivity , ion exchange , chemical engineering , polyelectrolyte , styrene , chemistry , swelling , dilution , materials science , polymer chemistry , ion , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer , copolymer , biochemistry , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
There is a delicate balance between ion exchange capacity (IEC), conductivity, and dimensional stability in anion exchange membranes as higher charge content can lead to increased water uptake, causing excessive swelling and charge dilution. Using highly‐charged benzyltrimethylammonium polysulfone (IEC=2.99 mEq g −1 ) as a benchmark (which ruptured in water even at room temperature), we report the ability to dramatically decrease water uptake using a semi‐interpenetrating network wherein we reinforced the linear polyelectrolyte with a crosslinked poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) network. These membranes show enhanced dimensional stability as a result of lower water uptake (75 % vs. 301 % at 25 °C) while maintaining excellent hydroxide conductivity (up to 50 mS cm −1 at 25 °C). These improvements produced an enhanced alkaline fuel cell capable of generating 236 mW cm −2 peak power density at 80 °C. This method is easily adaptable and can be a viable strategy for stabilizing existing systems.