Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Chang Y Ryu

Pulickel Madhavapanicker Ajayan

Chulsung Bae

Seamus A Curran

Ding Tian

Paul Stryjek

Emer Lahiff

An anion exchange membrane is provided by converting carbon-carbon double bonds in the backbone of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) into epoxide groups. Unmodified SBS is first partially hydrogenated to remove about 65% to about 90% of carbon-carbon double bonds. The remaining double bonds are then converted to epoxide groups to form an epoxidized SBS. UV-initiated ring opening reactions between the epoxidized SBS and haloalkyloxiranes are then employed to simultaneously functionalize and crosslink the epoxidized SBS. The halide groups in the crosslinked polymer network can be replaced via nucleophilic substitution to offer anion conductivity, e.g., via reaction with trimethylamine. Further ion exchange reactions can then be performed to make the membrane hydroxide conductive. The crosslinked membranes described herein exhibit a mechanical strength improvement of 200% compared to unmodified SBS, while maintaining high hydroxide conductivity. This synthetic platform is advantageous to provide mechanically robust anion exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.

Methods of making anion exchange membrane via simultaneous post-functionalization and crosslinking of epoxidized SBS

A method of producing polymer/nanotube composites where the density and position of the nanotubes () within the composite ca be controlled. Carbon nanotubes () are grown from organometallic micropatterns. These periodic nanotube arrays are then incorporated into a polymer matrix () by deposing a curable polymer film on the as-grown tubes. This controlled method of producing free-standing nanotube/polymer composite films may be used to form nanosensor () which provide information regarding a physical condition of a material (), such as an airplane chassis or wing, in contact with the nanosensor ().

Embedded nanotube array sensor and method of making a nanotube polymer composite

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Chang Y Ryu