This technology involves producing a polymer electrolyte membrane by applying acylation and reduction reactions to low-cost, electron-withdrawing-group-free polyphenylene oxide (PPO) to introduce spacer-type conductive groups without altering molecular weight, followed by cross-linking with a diamine cross-linker. After cross-linking, the ion conductive groups can be adjusted using substitution solutions such as trimethylamine or imidazole.
Polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells have historically faced issues with easy degradation in alkaline environments and a trade-off where increasing ion conductivity reduces mechanical strength. Conventional cation-exchange membrane fuel cells require expensive precious metal catalysts due to their acidic environment, while alternative alkaline membranes have struggled to simultaneously achieve high conductivity and stability.
This technology places an alkyl spacer between the main chain and the ion conductive group to reduce hydroxide ion attack, while using tetramethyl diamine cross-linking to enhance the membrane's dimensional stability and mechanical strength. The resulting membrane exhibits an ion conductivity of 60–70 mS/cm at 80°C and excellent alkaline stability. Applicable to anion-exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolyzers, it enables the low-cost mass production of high-performance membranes using general-purpose engineering plastics.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of core materials for high-performance anion-exchange membranes through molecular structure control.
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