Aromatic polyelectrolytes via polyacylation of pre-quaternized monomers for alkaline fuel cells

Abstract

To overcome alkali-resistant and synthetic hurdles to alkaline anion-exchange membranes (AAEMs) for alkaline fuel cells, the polyacylation of pre-quaternized monomers as a straightforward and versatile approach has been proposed for the first time. Via this approach, novel aromatic anion-exchange polyelectrolytes featuring a long pendent spacer (i.e., -O-(CH2) 4-) instead of a conventional benzyl-type spacer (i.e., -CH 2-) are successfully synthesized, and exhibit not only high OH - and CO32- conductivity (91 mS cm-1 and 51 mS cm-1 at 60 °C, respectively) but also outstanding alkaline stability (e.g., no degradation of ammonium groups after aging in 6 mol dm-3 NaOH at 60 °C for 40 days). Using this kind of AAEM, a promising peak power density of 120 mW cm-2 is obtained on a preliminary H2/O2 single cell at 50 °C. This powerful synthetic approach together with exceptional membrane properties should pave the way to the practical application of this kind of AAEMs in alkaline fuel cells. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.