High-strength anion-exchange fuel cell membranes based on imidazole-functionalized poly-ether-ether-ketone materials.

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK), an organic polymer material with good thermal stability and tensile strength, has been regarded as an ideal material for anion-exchange membrane (AEM). Metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) possess excellent chemical stability and mechanical properties. In this work, MOF-801 was impregnated with ionic liquid and the obtained IL@MOF-801 was introduced into imidazole-functionalized PEEK to obtain IL@MOF/Im-PEEK composite anion exchange membranes. The addition of IL@MOF-801 not only increases the ion transport channels but also forms hydrogen bonding network with the imidazole groups on PEEK, which is beneficial for improving ion transport properties and mechanical strength. The anion-exchange membrane consisting of 4% IL@MOF-801/Im-PEEK achieved an anionic conductivity of 116.8 mS/cm at 80 °C and 100% RH and excellent mechanical properties with a tensile strength of up to 208.7 MPa. [Display omitted] • Ionic liquid was impregnated in MOF-801 to obtain IL@MOF-801 with low leakage rate. • IL@MOFs construct new ion channels to improve the ionic conductivity of the membrane. • The combination of PEEK and MOFs produces a composite membrane with high tensile strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]