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.

A preparation method of composite materials having ion exchange function is provided. The method comprises the following steps: adding a trace of strong protonic acid and/or Lewis acid as a catalyst into the material during compounding, to allow nitrile groups of at least one nitrile group-containing ion exchange resin and nitrile groups of functional monomers grafted on the porous fluoropolymer membrane to form a triazine ring crosslinked structure.

A preparation method of composite materials having ion exchange function is provided. The method comprises the following steps: adding a trace of strong protonic acid and/or Lewis acid as a catalyst into the material during compounding, to allow nitrile groups of at least one nitrile group-containing ion exchange resin and nitrile groups of functional monomers grafted on the porous fluoropolymer membrane to form a triazine ring crosslinked structure.

Provided is a method of preparing a crosslinked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) cation exchange membrane including: preparing a crosslinker mixture of a first crosslinker containing two or more vinyl oxy groups and a second crosslinker containing three or more vinyl groups; preparing a mother liquor containing the crosslinker mixture, a SPEEK polymer substituted with sodium, and a solvent; and casting the mother liquor and then irradiating radiation thereon.

Electrolyte compositions for batteries such as lithium ion and lithium air batteries are described. In some embodiments the compositions are liquid compositions comprising (a) a homogeneous solvent system, said solvent system comprising a perfluropolyether (PFPE) and polyethylene oxide (PEO); and (b) an alkali metal salt dissolved in said solvent system. In other embodiments the compositions are solid electrolyte compositions comprising: (a) a solid polymer, said polymer comprising a crosslinked product of a crosslinkable perfluropolyether (PFPE) and a crosslinkable polyethylene oxide (PEO); and (b) an alkali metal ion salt dissolved in said polymer. Batteries containing such compositions as electrolytes are also described.

Electrolyte compositions for batteries such as lithium ion and lithium air batteries are described. In some embodiments the compositions are liquid compositions comprising (a) a homogeneous solvent system, said solvent system comprising a perfluropolyether (PFPE) and polyethylene oxide (PEO); and (b) an alkali metal salt dissolved in said solvent system. In other embodiments the compositions are solid electrolyte compositions comprising: (a) a solid polymer, said polymer comprising a crosslinked product of a crosslinkable perfluropolyether (PFPE) and a crosslinkable polyethylene oxide (PEO); and (b) an alkali metal ion salt dissolved in said polymer. Batteries containing such compositions as electrolytes are also described.

The electrochemical energy conversion system of the present disclosure includes an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane including a polymer having an aromatic polymer chain and an alkylated substrate including an alkyl chain, and at least one ionic group. The alkylated substrate is bound to at least one aromatic group in the polymer chain via Friedel-Crafts alkylation of the at least one aromatic group. The alkylation reaction utilizes a haloalkylated tertiary alcohol or a haloalkylated alkene as a precursor. In the presence of an acid catalyst, a carbocation is generated in the precursor which reacts with the aromatic rings of the polymer chain. The at least one ionic group is then replaced with a desired cationic or anionic group using a substitution reaction. The membranes exhibit advantageous stability achieved through a simplified and scalable reaction scheme.

The electrochemical energy conversion system of the present disclosure includes an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane including a polymer having an aromatic polymer chain and an alkylated substrate including an alkyl chain, and at least one ionic group. The alkylated substrate is bound to at least one aromatic group in the polymer chain via Friedel-Crafts alkylation of the at least one aromatic group. The alkylation reaction utilizes a haloalkylated tertiary alcohol or a haloalkylated alkene as a precursor. In the presence of an acid catalyst, a carbocation is generated in the precursor which reacts with the aromatic rings of the polymer chain. The at least one ionic group is then replaced with a desired cationic or anionic group using a substitution reaction. The membranes exhibit advantageous stability achieved through a simplified and scalable reaction scheme.

A proton exchange solid support includes a first solid support including a polymer, a second solid support, and a tetravalent boron-based acid group that links the first solid support to the second solid support.

Multi-acid polymers are produced having the formula R—SO.sub.2—NH—(SO.sub.3.sup.−H.sup.+).sub.n or R—SO.sub.2—NH—(PO.sub.3.sup.−H.sup.2+).sub.n and made from a polymer precursor in sulfonyl fluoride form or sulfonyl chloride form The R is one or more units of the polymer precursor without sulfonyl fluoride or sulfonyl chloride, n is one or more, and the multi-acid polymer has two or more proton conducting groups. A method of making the multi-acid polymers includes reacting an amino acid having multiple sulfonic acids or phosphonic acids with a polymer precursor in sulfonyl fluoride form or sulfonyl chloride form in a mild base condition to produce the multi-acid polymer having two or more proton conducting groups.