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Given the environmental concerns surrounding fluoromaterials, the use of high‐cost perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs) in fuel cells and water electrolysis contradicts the pursuit of clean energy systems. Herein, we present a fluorine‐free dumbbell‐shaped block‐graft copolymer, derived from the cost‐effective triblock copolymer, poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS), for polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs). This unique polymer shape led to the alignment of the hydrophobic‐hydrophilic domains along a preferred orientation, resulting in the construction of interconnected proton channels across the membrane. A bicontinuous network allowed efficient proton transport with reduced tortuosity, leading to an exceptional ionic conductivity (249 mS cm−1 at 80 °C and 90 % relative humidity (RH)), despite a low ion exchange capacity (IEC; 1.41). Furthermore, membrane electrode assembly (MEA) prepared with our membrane exhibited stable performance over a period of 150 h at 80 °C and 30 % RH. This study demonstrates a novel polymer structure design and highlights a promising outlook for hydrocarbon PEMs as alternatives to PFSAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent article in Angewandte Chemie International Edition discusses the synthesis and use of a fluorine-free, dumbbell-shaped block-graft copolymer as a hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells. The unique structure of the polymer chains resulted in the alignment of phase-separated domains and the creation of continuous proton channels throughout the membrane. This allowed for efficient proton transport and ensured stable performance. The authors suggest that this novel polymer structure shows promise for hydrocarbon PEMs as alternatives to PFSAs. [Extracted from the article]

A recent article in Angewandte Chemie discusses the synthesis of a fluorine-free, dumbbell-shaped block-graft copolymer that can be used as a hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells. The unique structure of the polymer chains allows for the alignment of phase-separated domains and the creation of continuous proton channels throughout the membrane. This enables efficient proton transport and ensures stable performance. The authors suggest that this novel polymer structure shows promise as an alternative to perfluorosulfonic acid membranes. [Extracted from the article]

Hydrophobic polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM‐1) are successfully demonstrated as proton conducting separators in the all‐vanadium redox flow battery with the unprecedented infinite proton/vanadium selectivity. A battery fabricated with a nanocomposite comprising a microporous support membrane and nanometer‐thick selective PIM layer shows an energy efficiency of up to nearly 99%, while it is also stable during 100 cycles in cyclic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]