Synthesis and Properties of Self-Crosslinking Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Quaternary Poly(arylene Ether Sulfone)s

A series of anion exchange membranes based on poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (PAES) have been prepared through condensation polymerization, chloromethylation and quaternization. The membrane using N, N, N’,N’-tetramethylhexyldiamine both as the quaternization and crosslinking reagent had self-crosslinking structure, and their properties have been compared with those using trimethylamie as the quaternization reagent, including ion exchange capacity, solubility, water uptake, dimensional change, hydrolytic stability and ion conductivity. The self-crosslinking membranes showed improvement in durability towards common organic solvents, dimensional stability and ion conductivity.