Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Junyoung Han

Chulsung Bae

Eun Joo Park

Sangtaik Noh

Jong Yeob Jeon

An ion exchange membrane material is composed of a crosslinked polymer network including a first poly(styrene-b-ethylene-r-butylene-b-styrene) triblock copolymer (SEBS), and second SEBS, and a linker crosslinking the first SEBS and the second SEBS. At least one phenyl group from the first SEBS and the second SEBS is functionalized with an alkyl group, and the carbon at the benzylic position of these alkyl groups is saturated with at least two additional alkyl groups. The linker is a diamine bound to the alkyl functional groups. The ion exchange membrane material is made via a substantially simultaneous quaternization and crosslinking reaction between the diamine linker and SEBS functionalized with alkyl halide groups. Increasing concentration of crosslinker in produces membranes with reduced water uptake, leading to an expectation of enhanced stability under hydrated conditions and greater durability. Advantageously, this reduction in water uptake came with little change to ion exchange capacity.

Crosslinking of aromatic polymers for anion exchange membranes

Hydrocarbon proton exchange membranes are disclosed that are composed of a material including a hydrophobic main chain, and acidic side chains. The main chain includes a polyaryl structure that is substantially free of ether linkages and also includes a fluoromethyl substituted carbon. The acidic side chains include a hydrocarbon tether terminated by a strongly acidic group, such as a fluoroalkyl sulfonate group. Chemical stability of the material is increased by removing the ether linkages from the main chain. The hydrophobic main chain and substantially hydrophilic side chains create a phase-separated morphology that affords enhanced transport of protons and water across the membrane even at low relative humidity levels. These materials are advantageous as membranes for use in fuel cells, redox flow batteries, water hydrolysis systems, sensors, electrochemical hydrogen compressors, actuators, water purifiers, gas separators, etc.

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Junyoung Han