Imidazolium-based anion exchange membranes for alkaline anion fuel cells; Elucidation of the morphology and the interplay between the morphology and properties

Zhao, Y.; Yoshimura, Kimio; Shishitani, Hideyuki*; Yamaguchi, Susumu*; Tanaka, Hirohisa*; Koizumi, Satoshi*; Szekely, N.*; Radulescu, A.*; Richter, D.*; Maekawa, Yasunari

We investigated the interplay between morphology and properties of a new graft-type of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) containing 2-methylimidazolium groups by using contrast variation small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique. These AEMs prepared by radiation-induced grafting of 2-methyl-1-vinylimidazole and styrene into poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films, possessed both high alkaline durability and high conductivity. The SANS measurement reveals that these membranes are consisted of three phases: crystalline lamellar and crystallite domains originating from the pristine ETFE, which offer good mechanical properties, hydrophobic amorphous domains, which offer a matrix to create conducting regions, and interconnected hydrated domains, which are composed of the entire graft chains and water and play a key role to promote the conductivity.