Towards High Conductivity in Anion‐Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells

• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201300320
• Publication Date: 2013-06-18T17:56:28Z
• Authors: Nanwen Li; Michael D. Guiver; Wolfgang H. Binder
• Keywords: Alkaline fuel cell

Abstract Quaternized poly(2,6‐dimethylphenylene oxide) materials (PPOs) containing clicked 1,2,3‐triazoles were first prepared through Cu I ‐catalyzed “click chemistry” to improve the anion transport in anion‐exchange membranes (AEMs). Clicked incorporated into AEMs provided more sites form efficient and continuous hydrogen‐bond networks between water/hydroxide triazole for transport. Higher water uptake was observed these membranes. Thus, showed an impressive enhancement of hydroxide diffusion coefficient and, therefore, conductivities. The recorded conductivity 27.8–62 mS cm −1 at 20 °C water, which several times higher than that a typical PPO‐based AEM (TMA‐20) derived from trimethylamine (5 ). Even reduced relative humidity, membrane superior trimethylamine‐based membrane. Moreover, similar alkaline stabilities 80 1 M NaOH non‐clicked performance H 2 /O single cell assembled with much improved compared TMA‐20 peak power density achieved fuel synthesized 1a (20) 188.7 mW −2 50 °C. These results indicated could be viable strategy improving cells.