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Synthesis and characterization of poly(benzimidazolium) membranes for anion exchange membrane fuel cells

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Abstract

Poly(dimethyl benzimidazolium) iodides were synthesized from polybenzimidazole derivatives by permethylation. They were easily changed to OH−, CO3 2− and HCO3 − ion conducting electrolytes by immersing in 1 M of KOH, K2CO3 and KHCO3. Properties of polymers were changed by the ion exchange process. The anion conducting membranes showed tough and flexible properties. The water uptake, ion exchange capacity and conductivity varied depending on the counter anions. One of the poly(dimethyl benzimidazolium) carbonate membranes, Me-DAB-OBBA-carbonate showed the highest water uptake (59 %) as well as ion conductivity (33.74 mS/cm at 80 °C), and could be a good candidate for an anion exchange membrane for anion exchange membrane fuel cells.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the “COE (Center of Excellence)” program of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. This work was also supported by a Grant (M2009010025) from the Fundamental R&D Program for Core Technology of Materials funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), Republic of Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea

    Hye-Jin Lee, Jieun Choi, Yung-Eun Sung & Hwayong Kim

  2. Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 136-791, Republic of Korea

    Jieun Choi, Jun Young Han, Hyoung-Juhn Kim, Dirk Henkensmeier, Eun Ae Cho, Jong Hyun Jang & Sung Jong Yoo

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  1. Hye-Jin Lee
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  2. Jieun Choi
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Correspondence to Hyoung-Juhn Kim or Hwayong Kim.

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Lee, HJ., Choi, J., Han, J.Y. et al. Synthesis and characterization of poly(benzimidazolium) membranes for anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Polym. Bull. 70, 2619–2631 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-013-0978-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-013-0978-0

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