Investigation on Structure and Properties of Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Tetramethylbiphenol Moieties Containing Copoly(arylene ether)s

摘要

Quaternary ammonium functionalized poly(arylene ether)s (QPAEs) containing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylbiphenol moieties were designed and successfully synthesized via nucleophilic substitution polycondensation, bromination, quaternization and alkalization. The structure, water uptake, ion exchange capacities (IECs), hydroxide ion conductivities, and mechanical properties, as well as thermal and chemical stabilities of obtained QPAEs membranes were investigated. The QPAE-a membrane with IEC value of 0.98 meq g(-1) demonstrated the highest ion conductivity (47.4 mS cm(-1)) at 80 degrees C. The ion transport activation energy (E-a) of QPAEs membranes varied from 8.57 to 19.95 kJ mol(-1). After chemical stability test conditioned in 1M NaOH at 60 degrees C for 7 days, the QPAEs membranes except QPAE-c (IEC=0.88 meq g(-1)) still exhibited high hydroxide ion conductivities (over 15 mS cm(-1)) and acceptable tensile strength (approximate to 10 MPa). These properties indicate that the ionomers membranes are potential candidates for anion exchange membranes in anion exchange membrane fuel cells. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41525.