Construction of highly efficient ion channel within anion exchange membrane based on interpenetrating polymer network for H2/Air (CO2-free) alkaline fuel cell

Abstract Interpenetrating polymer network anion exchange membrane (IPN AEM) consists of cross-linked quaternized poly (vinylbenzyl chloride) and cross-linked poly (vinyl alcohol) is synthesized in this work. Electron microscope clearly reveals the IPN structure, and with this structural design, a highly efficient ion channel within IPN AEMs is constructed. This specially designed structure leads to high hydroxide (OH−) conductivity (e.g., 141.7 mS cm−1 at 80 °C) at a moderate ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.61 mmol g−1, and a remarkable peak power density of 0.64 W cm−2 with non-noble metal oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst in H2/Air (CO2-free) anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) test.