Facile Chemical Modification of Aquivion® Membranes for Anionic Fuel Cells. Issue 12 (14th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonizzoni, Simone; Stilli, Pietro; Lohmann‐Richters, Felix; Oldani, Claudio; Ferrara, Chiara; Papagni, Antonio; Beverina, Luca; Mustarelli, Piercarlo
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 8:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: 2231
• Page End: 2237
• Publication Date: 2021-06-14
• Subjects: anion-exchange membranes -- fuel cells -- electrolyzers -- ionic conductivity -- stability; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.202100382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

Abstract: Anion‐exchange membranes (AEMs) are of growing interest for electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers because the alkaline medium allows avoiding the use of platinum and platinum‐group metals as the electrocatalysts. Perfluorinated polymers are a good starting point to prepare AEMs because of their chemical stability and potential high conductivity resulting from the coexistence of hydrophobic main chains and flexible hydrophilic side chains. Here, we report a facile and simple chemical modification of Aquivion® performed in aqueous environment. We obtained a chemically stable membrane with ionic conductivity exceeding 2.5×10 −2 S cm −1 at 80 °C and 100 RH% that was used in a polymer fuel cell. Abstract : A facile strategy for modifying proton‐conducting Aquivion® to obtain an anion‐conducting membrane is presented. The membrane shows good ionic conductivity and chemical stability under strong alkaline conditions. Preliminary fuel‐cell tests are also provided.