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Chu D, Shao R, Zhang J, Zhou Q, Zheng Z, Xu Y, Liu L. Partially PEG-Grafted Poly(Terphenyl Piperidinium) Anion Exchange Membranes with Balanced Properties for Alkaline Fuel Cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400336. [PMID: 38924226 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or oligo (ethylene glycol) (OEG) grafted anion exchange membranes (AEMs) exhibit improved ionic conductivity, high alkaline stability, and subsequent boosted AEM fuel cell performance, but too much PEG/OEG side chains may can result in a reduction in the ion exchange capacity (IEC), which can have adverse effects on ion transport. Here, a series of partially PEG-grafted poly(terphenyl piperidinium) with different side chain length are synthesized using simple postpolymerization modification to produce AEMs with balanced properties. The polar and flexible PEG side chains are responsible for the controlled water uptake and swelling, superior hydroxide conductivity (122 mS cm-1 at 80 °C with an IEC of 1.99 mmol g-1), and enhanced alkaline stability compared to the reference sample without PEG grafts (PTP). More importantly, the performance of AEM fuel cell (AEMFC) with the membrane containing partial PEG side chains surpasses that with PTP membrane, demonstrating a highest peak power density of 1110 mW cm-2 at 80 °C under optimized conditions. This work provides a novel approach to the fabrication of high-performance AEM materials with balanced properties for alkaline fuel cell application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongrui Chu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Runan Shao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Qiyu Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Zhichao Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Yangyang Xu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
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Gong S, Liu A, Qaisrani NA, Han L, Yuan M, Ren Y, Yan X, He G, Zhang F. Completely Methylene-Free Side Chain Enables Significant Microphase Separation at Medium IECs for Fuel-Cell Anion Exchange Membranes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:27741-27749. [PMID: 38745362 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of hydrophobic side chain structures in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) to facilitate ion transport has been widely studied; however, low or moderate hydrophobic hydrocarbon and semifluorinated side chains are insufficient to induce a high degree of microphase separation. Herein, we design and prepare poly(aryl piperidinium) AEMs with completely methylene-free perfluorinated side chains, which can maximize the thermodynamic incompatibility between main- and side chains, thus enhancing microphase separation at medium ion exchange capacities (IECs). According to the molecular dynamics study, the methylene-free perfluorinated side chain leads to better hydration of cations. The hydroxide conductivity of the methylene-free perfluorinated side chain-grafted PAP-pF-1 membrane reaches 124.9 mS cm-1 at 80 °C, and the PAP-sF-1 with semifluorinated side chains and PAP-CH-1 with hydrocarbon side chains show lower conductivity (116.8 and 104.0 mS cm-1). The H2/O2 fuel cell using the PAP-pF-1 membrane demonstrates a remarkable peak power density (1651 mW cm-2 at 80 °C) and durability (greater than 300 h). This work provides a novel insight into enhancing microphase separation in AEMs; it opens up new possibilities for developing high-performance AEMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoutao Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Anmin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Naeem Akhtar Qaisrani
- Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT), Abu Dhabi Rd, Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Pakistan
| | - Long Han
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Minghao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Yanzhen Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Xiaoming Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Gaohong He
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Fengxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
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Henkensmeier D, Cho WC, Jannasch P, Stojadinovic J, Li Q, Aili D, Jensen JO. Separators and Membranes for Advanced Alkaline Water Electrolysis. Chem Rev 2024; 124:6393-6443. [PMID: 38669641 PMCID: PMC11117188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) uses diaphragms to separate anode and cathode and is operated with 5-7 M KOH feed solutions. The ban of asbestos diaphragms led to the development of polymeric diaphragms, which are now the state of the art material. A promising alternative is the ion solvating membrane. Recent developments show that high conductivities can also be obtained in 1 M KOH. A third technology is based on anion exchange membranes (AEM); because these systems use 0-1 M KOH feed solutions to balance the trade-off between conductivity and the AEM's lifetime in alkaline environment, it makes sense to treat them separately as AEM WE. However, the lifetime of AEM increased strongly over the last 10 years, and some electrode-related issues like oxidation of the ionomer binder at the anode can be mitigated by using KOH feed solutions. Therefore, AWE and AEM WE may get more similar in the future, and this review focuses on the developments in polymeric diaphragms, ion solvating membranes, and AEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Henkensmeier
- Hydrogen
· Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea
Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division
of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST
Green School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Chul Cho
- Department
of Future Energy Convergence, Seoul National
University of Science & Technology, 232 Gongreung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Korea
| | - Patric Jannasch
- Polymer
& Materials Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Qingfeng Li
- Department
of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical
University of Denmark (DTU), Fysikvej 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - David Aili
- Department
of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical
University of Denmark (DTU), Fysikvej 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens Oluf Jensen
- Department
of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical
University of Denmark (DTU), Fysikvej 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Ma W, Tian L, Zhu Q, Zhang S, Wang F, Zhu H. Highly Hydrophilic Zirconia Composite Anion Exchange Membrane for Water Electrolysis and Fuel Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:11849-11859. [PMID: 38411114 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
To prepare anion exchange membranes with high water electrolysis and single fuel cell performance, an inorganic-organic composite (IOC) strategy with click cross-linked membranes coated with different contents of hydrophilic polar nanozirconia is proposed to fabricate composite membranes (CM) PBP-SH-Zrx. The performance test results showed that the CM PBP-SH-Zr4 not only has good through-plane ionic conductivity (167.7 mS cm-1, 80 °C), but also exhibits satisfactory dimensional stability (SR 16.5%, WU 206.4%, 80 °C), especially demonstrating excellent alkaline stability with only 16% degradation (2 M NaOH for 2200 h). In water electrolysis, the "microgap" between the membrane and catalyst layer (solid-solid interface) is alleviated, and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) interfacial compatibility (liquid-solid-solid interface) is enhanced. The CM PBP-SH-Zr4 showed the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct, 0.037 Ω cm2) and a high current density of 2.5 A cm-2 at 2.2 V, while the voltage drop was 0.361 mV h-1 after 360 h of endurance (six start-stop cycles) at 60 °C and 500 mA cm-2, proving a good water electrolysis durability. Moreover, an acceptable peak power density of 0.464 W cm-2 at 80 °C is achieved in a H2/O2 fuel cell with a PBP-SH-Zr4-AEM. Therefore, the IOC strategy can enhance the membrane's comprehensive performance and interface compatibility of MEA and may promote the development of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for water electrolysis and fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lin Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qingqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shuhuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fanghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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Ouma CNM, Obodo KO, Bessarabov D. Computational Approaches to Alkaline Anion-Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:1051. [PMID: 36363606 PMCID: PMC9693448 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12111051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) are key components in relatively novel technologies such as alkaline exchange-based membrane fuel cells and AEM-based water electrolyzers. The application of AEMs in these processes is made possible in an alkaline environment, where hydroxide ions (OH-) play the role of charge carriers in the presence of an electrocatalyst and an AEM acts as an electrical insulator blocking the transport of electrons, thereby preventing circuit break. Thus, a good AEM would allow the selective transport of OH- while preventing fuel (e.g., hydrogen, alcohol) crossover. These issues are the subjects of in-depth studies of AEMs-both experimental and theoretical studies-with particular emphasis on the ionic conductivity, ion exchange capacity, fuel crossover, durability, stability, and cell performance properties of AEMs. In this review article, the computational approaches used to investigate the properties of AEMs are discussed. The different modeling length scales are microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic. The microscopic scale entails the ab initio and quantum mechanical modeling of alkaline AEMs. The mesoscopic scale entails using molecular dynamics simulations and other techniques to assess the alkaline electrolyte diffusion in AEMs, OH- transport and chemical degradation in AEMs, ion exchange capacity of an AEM, as well as morphological microstructures. This review shows that computational approaches can be used to investigate different properties of AEMs and sheds light on how the different computational domains can be deployed to investigate AEM properties.
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Yuan W, Zeng L, Jiang S, Yuan C, He Q, Wang J, Liao Q, Wei Z. High performance poly(carbazolyl aryl piperidinium) anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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