Quaternized poly (2,6 dimethyl-1,4 phenylene oxide)/polysulfone blended anion exchange membrane for alkaline fuel cells application

A series of quaternized poly (2,6 dimethyl-1,4 phenylene oxide)/ polysulfone (QPPO/PSF) blend anionic exchange membranes (AEM) were fabricated for alkaline fuel cell application. The characteristic properties of the QPPO/PSF blend membrane were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and contact angle (CA). The successful introduction of both chloromethyl and quaternized ammonium was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). AEM properties such as ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake (WU), contact angle (CA) and ion conductivity (IC) were also evaluated. The membranes were found to have an IEC of 1.75-2.18 mmol/g, WU of 77-111.3 %, CA of 52-76.39 ° and surface IC of 0.76-2.4 mS/cm at room temperature.