Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2019, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (1): 150-156.doi: 10.1007/s40242-019-8199-1

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Comb-shaped 2-Methylimidazolium Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Anion Exchange Membranes with High Alkaline Stability

ZHANG Yurong, GE Xiaoguang, ZHAO Chengji, NA Hui   

  1. Alan G. MacDiarmid Institute, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
  • Received:2018-06-19 Revised:2018-10-12 Online:2019-02-01 Published:2018-12-21
  • Contact: 10.1007/s40242-019-8199-1 E-mail:huina@jlu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21474036).

Abstract: A series of comb-shaped poly (arylene ether sulfone)s containing pendant 2-methyl-3-alkylimidazolium group (ImPAES-Cx, x=1, 6, 10) was prepared and characterized as novel anion exchange membranes. These ImPAES-Cx membranes were obtained by benzylic bromination and imidazolium functionalization. The characteristic nano-phase separation structure was formed in membranes with longer alkyl side chains, as confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering. The nano-phase separation structures endowed ImPAES-Cx membranes with improved ionic conductivity, dimensional stability (at least 60% decrease water uptake and swelling ratio at 60℃) and mechanical properties, together with excellent alkaline stability. Especially, ImPAES-C6 membranes possessed enhanced hydroxide conductivity and chemical stability simultaneously. These results suggest that it is a feasible strategy to introduce appropriate length of alkyl side chains into anion exchange membranes (AEMs) to improve the performance.

Key words: Comb-shaped structure, Imidazolium functionalized poly (arylene ether sulfone), Alkaline stability, Membrane