Beneficial use of hyperbranched polymer in cross‐linked anion exchange membranes for fuel cells. (23rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cao, Kaiyue; Peng, Jinwu; Shan, Cengliang; Liu, Zhenchao; Liang, Minhui; Wang, Le; Hu, Wei; Liu, Baijun
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 46:Number 15(2022)
• Page Start: 24395
• Page End: 24407
• Publication Date: 2022-09-23
• Subjects: anion exchange membranes -- cross‐linking -- fuel cells -- high conductivity -- hyperbranched polymer; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.8754
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: A series of cross‐linked blend membranes based on a linear poly(2, 6‐dimethyl phenylene oxide) (PPO) and a hyperbranched poly(4‐vinylbenzyl chloride) (HVBC) are prepared via a simple solution casting procedure, followed by a cross‐linking treatment. The experiment indicates that the "HVBC enhancing PPO" membranes can have a looser cross‐linked "linear‐hyperbranched" blend structure, which is expected to improve the water absorption and dimensional stability. As a result, the excellent overall properties including high anion conductivity, low swelling, high strength, and excellent oxidative‐alkaline stability can be achieved simultaneously. A maximum conductivity of PPO‐HVBC‐100 (ion exchange capacity [IEC] ~ 1.88 mmol/g) is up to 135.9 mS/cm at 80°C, which is 2.9 times higher than that of pristine PPO membrane (IEC ~ 1.62 mmol/g). All the results reveal that the hyperbranched HVBC with a unique multi‐cation structure is a preferred "performance‐enhancing component" for the PPO‐based membranes, and this study also provides a novel idea for the preparation of high‐performance AEMs. Abstract : A series of cross‐linked blend membranes based on a linear poly(2, 6‐dimethyl phenylene oxide) (PPO) and a hyperbranched poly(4‐vinylbenzyl chloride) (HVBC) are prepared. The study indicates that the "HVBC enhancing PPO" membranes can have a looser cross‐linked "linear‐hyperbranched" blend structure, which is proved to be beneficial for the improvement of the overall properties including high anion conductivity, low swelling and high strength.