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N-spirocyclic based anion exchange membranes bearing
branched flexible side chains
Authors： LIU Chang1， LIU Jinwu1， YANG Wenxi1， ZHANG Fan1， JU Jia1， CUI Jun2， ZHANG Yang1
Units： 1. School of Petrochemical Engineering，Liaoning Petrochemical University，Fushun 113001, China； 2. College of Life Engineering， Shenyang Institute of Technology， Fushun 113000， China
KeyWords： anion exchange membrane；branched flexible side chain；N-spirocyclic cation；fuel cell
ClassificationCode：TQ028； TM912.1
year,volume(issue):pagination： 2026,46(2):88-95

Abstract：
The development of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) that integrate high OH- conductivity, robust stability and mechanical strength represents a forefront research challenge in the fuel cell field. Although N-spirocyclic cations demonstrate exceptional alkaline stability, their rigid and bulky nature often compromises OH- conductivity and membrane-forming properties. To address this, this work proposed a novel “one-pot and sequential grafting” strategy to graft polysulfone (PSf) backbones with branched flexible side chains and N-spirocyclic cations sequentially. The incorporation of branched side chains not only facilitated the formation of efficient ion transport channels, but also enhanced the mechanical strength and dimensional stability of the membranes. Concurrently, the steric hindrance provided by these side chains significantly improved the alkaline stability of the AEMs. The resulting membrane PSf2C6ASD exhibited outstanding comprehensive properties: high OH- conductivity of 141.8 mS/cm at 80 ℃, robust tensile strength of 45.1 MPa, and favorable dimensional stability with a swelling ratio of 18.3% at 80  ℃. Remarkably, it possessed exceptional alkaline stability, retaining over 96% of its original OH- conductivity after being treated in 1 mol/L KOH at 80  ℃ for 30 days. Furthermore, in a single-cell test, the open-circuit voltage of 1.01 V was achieved and the power density reached up to 926.2 mW/cm2 at 80  ℃ with a current density of 2 000 mA/cm2. 
 

Funds：
国家自然科学基金项目（22408144）；辽宁省教育厅高等学校基本科研项目（青年项目）（JYTQN2023347，JYTQN2023350）； 辽宁省科技计划联合计划（自然科学基金-面上项目）（2025-MSLH-458，2025-MSLH-459）； 辽宁石油化工大学引进人才科研启动基金资助项目（2023XJJL-010，2023XJJL-011）

AuthorIntro：
刘畅（2001-），男，辽宁彰武人，硕士研究生，研究方向为功能膜材料的制备

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