Construction of ion transport channels by grafting flexible alkyl imidazolium chain into functional poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) as anion exchange membranes

A new series of imidazolium-functionalized anion exchange membranes (AEMs), based on poly (arylene ether ketone sulfone) containing pendant amino groups (Am-PAEKS) have been prepared. The structure of the copolymers is characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectra. The properties of the imidazolium-functionalized Am-PAEKS (Im-Am-PAEKS) including ionic conductivity, dimensional stability, thermal stability, fuel cell performance and mechanical property are investigated thoroughly. The hydroxide conductivities of the prepared membranes are in the range of 1.1 × 10−2–13.9 × 10−2 S cm−1 (20–80 °C). The membranes exhibit excellent alkaline stability including high thermal stability and mechanical property after soaking in 2 M NaOH aqueous solution for 300 h. This study indicates that the imidazolium-functionalized membranes containing pedant amino groups have the potential to be applied in alkaline fuel cells.