Highly cross-linked polyether-based 1,2,3-triazolium ion conducting membranes with enhanced gas separation properties

Abstract

A series of cross-linked polyether-based 1,2,3-triazolium ion conducting membranes are prepared via the combination of thermally promoted Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a dialkyne and a diazide poly(trimethylene ether glycol) monomers with in-situ N-alkylation of the resulting poly(1,2,3-triazole)s with varying contents of 1,10-diiododecane as cross-linking agent. The resulting free-standing membranes have Tgs below −60 °C, Tds up to 230 °C, and Young's modulus up to 4.2 MPa. The overall combined reaction kinetics were studied by DSC yielding an activation energy of 76 kJ/mol by the Kissinger method. These ion conducting membranes have conductivities up to 10−6 S/cm at 30 °C under anhydrous conditions. They have potential to be used in CO2 separation applications as they exhibit CO2 permeability of 59–110 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 25–48.