Synthesis and characterization of anion exchange membranes based on poly(arylene ether sulfone)s containing various cations functioned tetraphenyl methane moieties

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) based on novel poly(arylene ether sulfone)s containing imidazolium, pyridinium and trialkylamine quaternary ammonium hydroxide groups functioned tetraphenyl methane moieties were obtained by treating the poly(arylene ether sulfone) having chloromethylated tetraphenyl methane moieties with N-methylimidazole (MIm), pyridine (Py), trimethylamine (TMA) and triethylamine (TEA) and following by alkalization. The chemical structures of the ionized poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (IPAESs) were confirmed by 1H NMR. Dimension stability, hydroxide conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability and chemical stability of the IPAESs membranes were evaluated as AEMs materials. The IPAES-TMA and IPAES-MIm membranes exhibit better comprehensive properties than that of the IPAES-TEA and IPAES-Py membranes. Especially, the IPAES-MIm membrane with IEC value of 1.85 exhibits the highest hydroxide conductivity of 65.6 mS cm−1 at 80 °C, and the best thermal and chemical stability. The results demonstrate the IPAES-MIm membrane constitutes a good candidate for alkaline anion-exchange membrane fuel cell application.