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Ultraviolet-Activated Solid-State Nitrene Cross-Linking: A Scalable Pathway to Prolonged Lifespan in Anion Exchange Membranes

Journal Article · · ACS Applied Polymer Materials
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) offer a cost-effective alternative to proton exchange membranes as alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers permit the use of non-platinum group electrodes and components. Despite continued progress, the operational lifetime and stability of these membranes limit the widespread adoption of AEM-based electrochemical technologies. This study presents a flexible and easily implemented ultraviolet (UV)-initiated nitrene-based cross-linking method which uses a small, facile organic azide precursor. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate this approach on the well-studied poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) quaternary ammonium AEM (QPPO) polyelectrolyte. Further, a survey of cross-linker density (2.5–10 mol %) found that the addition of 10 mol % results in a 59% reduction in water uptake, a 58.8% decrease in the swell ratio, and a 31% increase in tensile strength vs the un-cross-linked material. Nitrene cross-linking also enhanced the membrane’s durability, enabling 1000 h of stable performance under electrochemical load. This UV-initiated cross-linking method may be easily integrated into production processes, allowing chemical cross-linking at any stage, including posthydration.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
2375412
Report Number(s):
LLNL--JRNL-851644; 1078425
Journal Information:
ACS Applied Polymer Materials, Journal Name: ACS Applied Polymer Materials Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 6; ISSN 2637-6105
Publisher:
ACS PublicationsCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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