Imidazolium-functionalized carbon nanotubes crosslinked with imidazole poly(ether ether ketone) for fabricating anion exchange membranes with high hydroxide conductivity and dimension stability

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Density Functional Theory Studies of Two Salt Cocrystals Containing Meldrum's Acid Group

Two salt cocrystals, C₃₁H₃₄N₄O₈ (DDD) and C₁₇H₂₀N₂O₈ (MDD), were synthesized and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. DDD is made up of one (C₁₃H₁₃O₈)^- anion, one (C₉H₁₁N₂)⁺ cation, and one 5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole molecule. MDD consists of one (C₄H₇N₂)⁺ cation and one (C₁₃H₁₃O₈)^- anion. DDD and MDD belong to the monoclinic, P21/c space group and triclinic, P-1 space group, respectively. A 1D-chained structure of DDD was constituted by N-H···N and N-H···O hydrogen bonds. However, a 1D-chained structure of MDD was bridged by N-H···O hydrogen bonds. Their density functional theory-optimized geometric structures with a B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) basis set fit well with those of crystallographic studies. By calculating their thermodynamic properties, the correlation equations of C ⁰ _p,m , S ⁰ _m , H ⁰ _m , and temperature T were obtained. By comparing the experimental electronic spectra with the calculated electronic spectra, it is found that the PBEPBE/6-311G(d,p) method can simulate the UV-Vis spectra of DDD and MDD. In addition, the fluorescence spectra in the EtOH solution analysis show that the yellowish-green emission occurs at 570 nm (λ_ex = 310 nm) for DDD and the purplish-blue emission occurs at 454 nm (λ_ex = 316 nm) for MDD.

Anion Exchange Membranes with 1D, 2D and 3D Fillers: A Review

Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) are clean energy conversion devices that are an attractive alternative to the more common proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), because they present, among others, the advantage of not using noble metals like platinum as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The interest in this technology has increased exponentially over the recent years. Unfortunately, the low durability of anion exchange membranes (AEM) in basic conditions limits their use on a large scale. We present in this review composite AEM with one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional fillers, an approach commonly used to enhance the fuel cell performance and stability. The most important filler types, which are discussed in this review, are carbon and titanate nanotubes, graphene and graphene oxide, layered double hydroxides, silica and zirconia nanoparticles. The functionalization of the fillers is the most important key to successful property improvement. The recent progress of mechanical properties, ionic conductivity and FC performances of composite AEM is critically reviewed.