膜科学与技术

Position：Home >> Abstract

Bifunctional side chain anion exchange membranes with C=O-free backbone

Authors： LIU Jinwu1, LIU Chang1, ZHANG Yang1, JU Jia1, CUI Jun2, ZHANG Fan1

Units： 1. College of Petrochemical Technology, Liaoning Petrochemical University, Fushun 113001,China； 2. College of Life Engineering, Shenyang Institute of Technology, Fushun 113000, China

KeyWords： C=O-free poly(arylene ether); hydrophobic-hydrophilic dual-functional side chains; anion exchange membrane; ionic conductivity; alkaline stability; single-cell performance

ClassificationCode：TQ028； TM912.1

year,volume(issue):pagination： 2026,46(2):112-118

Abstract：

To enhance the overall performance of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) under harsh, hot alkaline conditions, a novel membrane architecture was designed by integrating hydrophobic-hydrophilic dual-functional side chains in a parallel configuration onto a CO-free poly(arylene ether) backbone. The CO-free backbone was employed to mitigate alkaline-induced backbone degradation, while the dual-functional side chains were intended to synergistically facilitate the formation of efficient ion-conducting pathways and provide steric protection for the cationic groups. AEMs with varying side chain lengths were synthesized and characterized. The membrane incorporating hexyl chains for both functionalities (PEAM-QC6H6) demonstrated the most balanced property profile. It exhibited a low swelling ratio of 9.0% at 80 ℃, a tensile strength of 38.9 MPa, and a high hydroxide conductivity of 140.3 mS/cm at 80 ℃. Remarkably, it retained 92.4% of its initial conductivity after being immersed in 4 mol/L KOH at 80 ℃ for 1 500 hours. Furthermore, a H2/O2 fuel cell assembled with the PEAMQC6H6 membrane achieved a peak power density of 1.18 W/cm2 at 80 ℃. This work provides a promising strategy for the molecular design of durable, high-performance AEMs.

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：

刘晋武(1998-)，男，山西忻州人，硕士，从事阴离子交换膜研究

Reference：

[1]Dekel D R. Review of cell performance in anion exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. J Power Sources, 2018, 375（1）: 158-169.
[2]Merle G, Wessling M, Nijmeijer K. Anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells: A review[J]. J Membr Sci, 2011, 377（1/2）: 1-35.
[3]Ge X, Zhang F, Wu L, et al. Current challenges and perspectives of polymer electrolyte membranes[J]. Macromolecules, 2022, 55（9）: 3773-3787.
[4]Miyanishi S, Yamaguchi T. Analysis of the degradation mechanism of the polyarylene ether anion-exchange membrane for alkaline fuel cell and water-splitting cell applications[J]. New J Chem, 2017, 41（15）: 8036-8044.
[5]Hibbs M R, Fujimoto C H, Cornelius C J. Synthesis and characterization of poly(phenylene)-based anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells[J]. Macromolecules, 2009, 42（21）: 8316-8321.
[6]Donat-Bouillud A, Levesque I, Tao T. Light-emitting diodes from fluorene-based pi-conjugated polymers[J]. Chem Mater, 2000, 12（7）: 1931-1936.
[7]Havelka-Rivard P A, Nagai K, Freeman B D. Synthesis and characterization of poly{[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethylidene]}[J]. Macromolecules, 1999, 32（19）: 6418-6424.
[8]Zhang F, Li T T, Chen W T, et al. High-performance anion exchange membranes with para-type cations on electron-withdrawing CO links free backbone[J]. Macromolecules, 2020, 53（24）: 10988-10997.
[9]Jannasch P, Weiber E A. Configuring anion-exchange membranes for high conductivity and alkaline stability by using cationic polymers with tailored side chains[J]. Macromol Chem Phys, 2016, 217（9）:1108-1118.
[10]Dang H S, Weiber E A, Jannasch P. Poly(phenylene oxide) functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups via flexible alkyl spacers for high-performance anion exchange membranes[J]. J Mater Chem A, 2015, 3（10）: 5280-5284.
[11]Gao L, He G, Pan Y. Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenyIene oxide) containing imidazolium-terminated long side chains as hydroxide exchange membranes with improved conductivity[J]. J Membr Sci, 2016, 518（1）: 159-167.
[12]Lin X, Varcoe J R, Poynton S D. Alkaline polymer electrolytes containing pendant dimethylimidazolium groups for alkaline membrane fuel cells[J]. J Mater Chem A, 2013, 1（24）: 7262-7269.
[13]Ran J, Ding L, Chu C, et al. Highly conductive and stabilized side-chain-type anion exchange membranes: Ideal alternatives for alkaline fuel cell applications[J]. J Mater Chem A, 2018, 6（34） :17101-17110.
[14]Liu L, Yan X, Gao L, et al. Long-branched and densely functionalized anion exchange membranes for fuel cells[J]. J Membr Sci, 2019, 581（1）: 82-92.
[15]Zhang F, Li T T, Chen W T, et al. Electron-donating C-NH2 link backbone for highly alkaline and mechanical stable anion exchange membranes[J]. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13（8）: 10490-10499.

Service：

【Download】【Collect】

《膜科学与技术》编辑部 Address: Bluestar building, 19 east beisanhuan road, chaoyang district, Beijing; 100029 Postal code; Telephone：010-80492417/010-80485372; Fax：010-80485372 ; Email：mkxyjs@163.com