Fabrication of doubly charged anion-exchange membranes for enhancing hydroxide conductivity

Herein, a series of doubly charged anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) were fabricated by incorporating a different amount of N-butyl substituted 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane (BDABCO) into brominated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) via Menshutkin-reaction. The successful preparation of AEMs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. These AEMs were characterized physicochemically in detail. These AEMs showed higher thermal, mechanical and chemical stability. The AEM with higher concentration of BDABCO exhibited hydroxide (OH⁻) conductivity of 50.9 mS/cm and 84 mS/cm at 30°C and 80°C, respectively. This demonstrated the as-prepared AEMs would be potential candidates for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells.