Thermally Cross-Linked Anion Exchange Membranes from Solvent Processable Isoprene Containing Ionomers

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• 作者：Tsung-Han Tsai ; S. Piril Ertem ; Ashley M. Maes ; Soenke Seifert ; Andrew M. Herring ; E. Bryan Coughlin
• 刊名：Macromolecules
• 出版年：2015
• 出版时间：February 10, 2015
• 年：2015
• 卷：48
• 期：3
• 页码：655-662
• 全文大小：309K
• ISSN：1520-5835

文摘

Random copolymers of isoprene and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (VBCl) with varying compositions were synthesized via nitroxide-mediated polymerization. Subsequent quaternization afforded solvent processable and cross-linkable ionomers with a wide range of ion exchange capacities (IECs). Solution cast membranes were thermally cross-linked to form anion exchange membranes. Cross-linking was achieved by taking advantage of the unsaturations on the polyisoprene backbone, without added cross-linkers. A strong correlation was found between water uptake and ion conductivity of the membranes: conductivities of the membranes with IECs beyond a critical value were found to be constant related to their high water absorption. Environmentally controlled small-angle X-ray scattering experiments revealed a correlation between the average distance between ionic clusters and the ion conductivity, indicating that a well-connected network of ion clusters is necessary for efficient ion conduction and high ion conductivity.