Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Anion Exchange Membranes for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

A series of semi-interpenetrating polymer network anion exchange membranes (SIPN-AEMs) composed of an aromatic polymer (poly(fluorene-terphenyl-piperidine), PDTP) and cross-linked aliphatic polymer poly(1-methyl-1-(4-vinylbenzyl)) piperidinium chloride-acrylonitrile-styrene (CQP(Vpip-St-AN)) were prepared. Compared with CQP(Vpip-St-AN) membranes, the SIPN-AEMs demonstrated higher conductivity, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability resulting from the formation of the semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) structure. Atomic force microscopy images revealed that a hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase-separated structure formed in the SIPN-AEMs, which is favorable for ion transport. Among the SIPN-AEMs, CQP(Vpip-St-AN)2-QPDTP1 exhibited the highest conductivity (148 mS cm–2), lowest degree of swelling (19.04% at 80 °C), and a tensile strength of 13.37 MPa at 25 °C. Further, single fuel cells (FCs) with CQP(Vpip-St-AN)2-QPDTP1 achieved a maximum power density of 191 mW cm–2. This work provides a facile and efficient way to prepare anion exchange membranes (AFMs) with high performance for AEM FC applications.