Free-standing hybrid anion-exchange membranes for application in fuel cells

摘要

A series of free-standing hybrid anion-exchange membranes were prepared by blending brominated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride-co-γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane) (poly(VBC-co-γ-MPS)). Apart from a good compatibility between organic and inorganic phases, the hybrid membranes had a water uptake of 32.4-51.8%, tensile strength around 30 MPa, and T_d temperature at 5% weight loss around 243-261°C. As compared with the membrane prepared from poly (VBC-co-γ-MPS), the hybrid membranes exhibited much better flexibility, and larger ion-exchange capacity (2.19-2.27 mmol g~(-1)) and hydroxyl (OH~-) conductivity (0.0067-0.012 S cm~(-1)). In particular, the hybrid membranes with 60-75 wt % BPPO had the optimum water uptake, miscibility between components, and OH~- conductivity, and were promising for application in fuel cells.