A method for sulfonation of poly(phenylene ether) can comprise: dissolving a poly(phenylene ether) comprising 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units, 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl ether units, or a combination thereof in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and a cosolvent to form a solvent mixture in a mixing vessel, wherein the cosolvent comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ether, methyl ethyl sulfone, ethyl acetate, or tetramethylene sulfone; combining a sulfonating agent with the solvent mixture, wherein the sulfonating agent reacts with the poly(phenylene ether) to form sulfonated poly(phenylene ether); precipitating the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether); and filtering the precipitated sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) to form a sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) precipitate and a filtrate; wherein the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) has a sulfonation level of 20 to 50%.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a high-performance thin film composite (TFC) membrane through a solvent activation process. In the present invention, by using a mixed solvent of a good solvent and a poor solvent as an activating solvent, a conventional polysulfone-based support-based TFC membrane having high water permeance as well as excellent salt rejection may be manufactured.

An ion-conducting structure comprises a metal-fibril complex formed by one or more elementary nanofibrils. Each elementary nanofibril can be composed of a plurality of cellulose molecular chains with functional groups. Each elementary nanofibril can also have a plurality of metal ions. Each metal ion can act as a coordination center between the functional groups of adjacent cellulose molecular chains so as to form a respective ion transport channel between the cellulose molecular chains. The metal-fibril complex can comprise a plurality of second ions. Each second ion can be disposed within one of the ion transport channels so as to be intercalated between the corresponding cellulose molecular chains. In some embodiments, the metal-fibril complex is formed as a solid-state structure.

An electrochemical compressor utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer. The compressor may be part of a refrigeration system that pumps the working fluid in a closed loop through a condenser and an evaporator.

Disclosed are an anion exchange membrane based on an aromatic polymer functionalized with an imidazolium group, a preparation method thereof, and a vanadium redox flow battery including the membrane. The anion exchange membrane based on an aromatic polymer functionalized with an imidazolium group contains a compound represented by a following Chemical Formula 1: ##STR00001##

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity are provided herein. Disclosed polymers of intrinsic microporosity include modified polymers of intrinsic microporosity that include negatively charged sites or crosslinking between monomer units. Systems making use of polymers of intrinsic microporosity and modified polymers of intrinsic microporosity are also described, such as electrochemical cells and ion separation systems. Methods for making and using polymers of intrinsic microporosity and modified polymers of intrinsic microporosity are also disclosed.

This is to provide a non-halogen containing compound excellent in proton conductivity and capable of suitably being used for a polymer electrolytic fuel cell The compound of the present invention has a structure represented by the following general formula (I). ##STR00001## (In the above-mentioned general formula (I), “l” and “n” are molar fractions when l+n=1.0, and 0≤l<1.0 and 0<n≤1.0, A represents a structure represented by the following general formula (II) or (III), B represents a structure represented by the following general formula (VII), the respective structural units are random copolymerized, and at least one benzene ring in the formula (I) has at least one sulfo group.) ##STR00002## (In the above-mentioned general formula (II) or (III), R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are each independently selected from hydrogen and an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, le and R.sup.2 form together with the carbon atom, they are attached to, an aromatic ring or a fused aromatic ring and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 form together with the carbon atom, they are attached to, an aromatic ring or a fused aromatic ring, or R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogens and R.sup.2 is a single bond and bonded to the carbon of “c”, X is a single bond, or a structure represented by the following formula (IV), the following formula (V) or the following formula (VI), when X is a single bond, bonds “a”s are both bonded at ortho positions or both bonded at meta positions relative to the carbons bonded to X, when X is a structure represented by the following formula (IV), bonds “a”s are both bonded at para positions relative to the carbons bonded to X, and when it is a structure represented by the following formula (V), bonds “a”s are both bonded at para positions or both bonded at meta positions relative to the carbons bonded to x, when X is a structure represented by the following formula (VI), the bonds “a”s in the above-mentioned general formula (II) or (III) exist only one of these, and A binds to other structure or a structural unit by one of the bonds “a”s and the bond “b”.) ##STR00003##

A separator for alkaline electrolysis comprising a porous support (10) and a first (20b) and second (30b) porous layer provided on respectively one side and the other side of the porous support, characterized in that the porous support has a thickness (d1) of 150 μm or less and the total thickness (d2) of the separator is less than 250 μm. Also a method is disclosed wherewith such a separator may be prepared.

Described herein are crosslinked alkylated poly(benzimidazole) and poly(imidazole) polymer materials and devices (e.g., fuel cells, water electrolyzers) including these polymer materials. The polymer materials can be prepared in a convenient manner, allowing for applications such as anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The membranes provide high anion conductivities over a wider range of operating conditions when compared to the analogous membranes that are not cross-linked. The crosslinked polymer materials have improved alkaline stability, when compared to the analogous non-crosslinked polymer materials.

A proton-conductive membrane includes a hydrophobic organic polymer and a hydrophilic proton-conductive component. The hydrophilic proton-conductive component includes one of an urea-containing material and a complex formed from an acidic substance and a basic substance, and a combination thereof. The hydrophilic proton-conductive component is present in an amount ranging from 23 parts by weight to 70 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the proton-conductive membrane.