Anion exchange membranes with well-defined ion transporting nanochannels via self-assembly of polymerizable ionic liquids. Issue 34 (11th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Xinpei; Lu, Fei; Dong, Bin; Wu, Aoli; Sun, Na; Zheng, Liqiang
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 34(2016)
• Page Start: 13316
• Page End: 13323
• Publication Date: 2016-08-11
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ta05223a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : We present a facile method to construct highly ordered and well-defined ionic channels in anion exchange membranes via the self-organization of polymerizable amphiphilic ionic liquids. Abstract : In this study, we present a facile method to construct highly ordered and well-defined ionic channels in anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) through in-phase photopolymerization of liquid crystals (LCs). Hexagonal and lamellar LC samples were prepared by the self-organization of polymerizable amphiphilic imidazolium-based ionic liquids. The preservation of LC nanostructures in the obtained polymeric membranes was confirmed by the combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), polarized optical microscope (POM), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) measurements. Phase separations of LCs at the molecular level provided highly ordered and well-defined ionic channels for efficient anion conduction and meanwhile maintained a strong hydrophobic domain to suppress the swelling degree. The membranes synthesized in the present work provide a promising model system for understanding the idea of constructing ionic highways in AEMs through self-organization.