Incorporating functionalized silica nanoparticles in polyethersulfone‐based anion exchange nanocomposite membranes

Abstract

In order to investigate for anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with improved properties, four series of polyethersulfone‐based composite AEMs are fabricated by incorporating pristine and three functionalized silica nanoparticles containing propylamine, trimethylpropylamine, and melamine‐based dendrimer amine groups. The results show that by choosing appropriate functional agent, anion exchange membranes with improved parameters can be achieved. The polymeric matrix of the membranes is synthesized by chloromethylation of polyethersulfone using thionyl chloride followed by amination with trimethylamine (TMA). The effectiveness of chloromethylation process is confirmed by 1H NMR analysis. The effects of functional groups on characteristic and transport properties of the prepared composite membranes i.e., SEM, IEC, water uptake, porosity transport properties, and conductivity are investigated. The scanning electron microscope images illustrates that the synthesized membranes possess dense structures. Ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, transport properties, and conductivity of the composite membranes are measured. In addition, the morphology and thermal stability are characterized. IECs and ion conductivities of up to 1.45 meq g−1 and 45.46 mS cm−1 and moderate transport characteristics are obtained from the modified membranes which confirm that these membranes are appropriate for applying in electro‐membrane processes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44596.

Quaternized poly(2.6 dimethyl‐1.4 phenylene oxide)/polysulfone blend composite membrane doped with ZnO‐nanoparticles for alkaline fuel cells

“…The peaks at about 1600 cm −1 correspond to the CC stretching of the benzene ring, while the strong band at about 1200 cm −1 corresponds to the COC stretching and at about 1430 cm −1 indicating the stretching of CH bond are characteristics of PPO vibrations . The chlorination of PPO can be confirmed by an adsorption peak at about 730 cm −1 which results due to the stretching of the CCl bond . Additional adsorption peaks at about 1400, 1220, and 1110 cm −1 corresponding to CN vibration are visible for the QPPO and QPPO/PSF membranes .…”

“…6,8 The chlorination of PPO can be confirmed by an adsorption peak at about 730 cm 21 which results due to the stretching of the CACl bond. 6,16 Additional adsorption peaks at about 1400, 1220, and 1110 cm 21 corresponding to CAN vibration are…”

“…Till date, the quaternary ammonium (QA) head groups have been the most extensively studied anion head group in AEMs due to the ease of preparation and low cost . Polymer backbones such as polyethersulfone (PES), poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), poly(2.6 dimethyl‐1.4 phenylene oxide) (PPO), polysulfone (PSF), and polyethyleneimine have been used to fabricate AEM.…”

“…A typical procedure can include treating the pristine membrane first with chlorine or bromine, then treating with trimethylane (TMA) or triethylamine (TEM) to form the desired quaternized polymer membrane (QPM) . This method is the easiest way of producing AEM with high hydroxyl conductivity and stable under alkaline conditions …”

“…A typical procedure can include treating the pristine membrane first with chlorine or bromine, then treating with trimethylane (TMA) or triethylamine (TEM) to form the desired quaternized polymer membrane (QPM). 5,8,16 This method is the easiest way of producing AEM with high hydroxyl conductivity and stable under alkaline conditions. [19][20][21] One of the methods that have been used for fabricating AEM with high ionic conductivity, high thermal and chemical stability, and reduced fuel permeability is membrane blending.…”