Composite Polymer Anion Exchange Membranes with Sandwich Structure and Improved Performance for Zn–Air Battery

Abstract

In this study, we fabricated a composite polymer anion exchange membrane (AEM) with a sandwich structure. This prepared AEM demonstrated high ionic conductivity (0.25 Scm−1), excellent alkali resistance (8 M KOH), and good mechanical properties (tensile strength of 0.455 MPa and elongation at break of 82.13%). Here, degrease cotton (DC) treated with LiOH/urea aqueous solution was used and immersed into a coagulation bath to form a film. This film was immersed in acrylic acid (AA) monomers, and in-suit polymerization was carried out in the presence of KOH and an initiator. Finally, a composite polymer membrane with sandwich structure was achieved, in which the upper and bottom layers were mainly composed of polymerized AA (PAA) while the central layer was mainly composed of DC derived film. The central layer acted as a skeleton to improve the mechanical properties and alkali resistance. The top and bottom layers (PAA-rich layers) acted as OH- ion transport carriers, making basic cations migrate along the main chain of PAA. This newly developed composite membrane showed increased tensile strength and an elongation at break of 2.7 and 1.5 times, respectively, when compared to a control PAA/KOH AEM film. Furthermore, an electrochemical stability window of 2.0 V was measured via the cyclic voltammetry curve test, showing a wide electrochemical window and promising application in Zn–Air batteries.

Cross-Linked Alkaline Anion Exchange Membrane from N-Spirocyclic Quaternary Ammonium and Polybenzimidazole

“…The σ ΟΗ – of S50P50-OH and S50P50-P25-OH membranes was also measured after dipping them in 2 M KOH solution for 24 h, which resulted in σ ΟΗ – values of 113 and 124 mS/cm at 90 °C for S50P50-OH and S50P50-P25-OH membranes, respectively. These values are slightly higher than the values obtained in 1 M KOH–treated samples (Figure A), and this phenomenon of rising OH – conductivity with increasing electrolyte (KOH) concentration is well reported in the literature. ,− The σ ΟΗ – versus temperature plot for these two samples is shown in Figure S9.…”

Electrode|electrolyte interface enhancement in quasi-solid-state zinc–air batteries through an anion conducting polymer electrolyte interlayer by in situ polymerization

“…The tensile strength studies of the optimized AEPEM-GF and AEPEM-70:30 revealed their differences in mechanical properties. 43 As presented in the stress–strain plot (Fig. 2d), AEPEM-GF shows stretchability up to 72% at a tensile stress of about 288 kPa, while AEPEM-70:30 could show only 25% stretchability at a tensile stress of about 60 kPa.…”

Advances in flexible zinc–air batteries: working principles, preparation of key components, and electrode configuration design

“…126,128 The polymer networks provide the ductility, exibility, and overall stability (alkaline resistance, CO 2 resistance, chemical stability and thermal stability) to the AEM, accommodating the mechanical requirements of F-ZABs. 129 The controllable water uptake and swelling of the AEM can effectively reduce its structural thickness, 130 thus achieving the lightweight and small-sized design of F-ZABs.…”