Poly(aryl alkylene) polymers or poly(aryl-crown ether-alkylene) polymers with pendant cationic groups are provided which have an alkaline-stable cation, such as imidazolium, introduced into a rigid aromatic polymer backbone free of ether bonds. Hydroxide exchange membranes or hydroxide exchange ionomers formed from these polymers exhibit superior chemical stability, hydroxide conductivity, decreased water uptake, good solubility in selected solvents, and improved mechanical properties in an ambient dry state as compared to conventional hydroxide exchange membranes or ionomers. Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells and hydroxide exchange membrane electrolyzers comprising the poly(aryl alkylene) polymers or poly(aryl-crown ether-alkylene) polymers with pendant cationic groups exhibit enhanced performance and durability at relatively high temperatures.

A composite ion exchange membrane comprising components (a) and (b): (a) a membrane layer comprising ionic groups, two opposing surfaces and optionally a porous support; (b) a layer comprising sulpho groups bound to at least one of the at least two opposing surfaces of the membrane layer (a);
wherein the layer comprising sulpho groups has a thickness of less than 100 nm and the composite ion exchange membrane has a surface zeta potential of 0 to −7.5 mV.

A composite ion exchange membrane comprising components (a) and (b): (a) a membrane layer comprising ionic groups, two opposing surfaces and optionally a porous support; (b) a layer comprising sulpho groups bound to at least one of the at least two opposing surfaces of the membrane layer (a);
wherein the layer comprising sulpho groups has a thickness of less than 100 nm and the composite ion exchange membrane has a surface zeta potential of 0 to −7.5 mV.

Provided are a monovalent anion selective ion exchange membrane and a method of manufacturing the ion exchange membrane. In regard to the monovalent anion selective ion exchange membrane, a surface portion thereof has a high amount ratio of a cation exchange polymer electrolyte, a central portion thereof has a high amount ratio of an anion exchange polymer electrolyte, and an amount ratio of the anion exchange polymer electrolyte with respect to the cation exchange polymer electrolyte continuously increases in the thickness direction thereof from the surface toward the center. Due to this structure, compared to monovalent anions, polyvalent anions may permeate much less through the exchange membrane. Thus, high selectivity for monovalent anions may be obtained.

Provided are a monovalent anion selective ion exchange membrane and a method of manufacturing the ion exchange membrane. In regard to the monovalent anion selective ion exchange membrane, a surface portion thereof has a high amount ratio of a cation exchange polymer electrolyte, a central portion thereof has a high amount ratio of an anion exchange polymer electrolyte, and an amount ratio of the anion exchange polymer electrolyte with respect to the cation exchange polymer electrolyte continuously increases in the thickness direction thereof from the surface toward the center. Due to this structure, compared to monovalent anions, polyvalent anions may permeate much less through the exchange membrane. Thus, high selectivity for monovalent anions may be obtained.

The invention relates to:—anion exchange blend membranes consisting the following blend components:—a halomethylated polymer (a polymer with —(CH2)x—CH2—Hal groups, Hal=F, CI, Br, I; x=0-12), which is quaternised with a tertiary or a n-alkylated/n-arylated imidazole, an N-alkylated/N-arylated benzimidazole or an N-alkylated/N-arylated pyrazol to form an anion exchanger polymer. - an inert matrix polymer in which the anion exchange polymer is embedded and which is optionally covalently crosslinked with the halomethylated precursor of the anion exchanger polymer,—a polyethyleneglycol with epoxide or halomethyl terminal groups which are anchored by reacting with N—H-groups of the base matrix polymer using convalent cross-linking—optionally an acidic polymer which forms with the anion-exchanger polymer an ionic cross-linking (negative bound ions of the acidic polymer forming ionic cross-linking positions relative to the positive cations of the anion-exchanger polymer)—optionally a sulphonated polymer (polymer with sulphate groups —SO2Me, Me=any cation), which forms with the halomethyl groups of the halomethylated polymer convalent crosslinking bridges with sulfinate S-alkylation. The invention also relates to a method for producing said membranes, to the use of said membranes in electrochemical energy conversion processes (e.g. Redox-flow batteries and other flow batteries, PEM-electrolyses, membrane fuel cells), and in other membrane methods (e.g. electrodialysis, diffusion dialysis).

The invention relates to:—anion exchange blend membranes consisting the following blend components:—a halomethylated polymer (a polymer with —(CH2)x—CH2—Hal groups, Hal=F, CI, Br, I; x=0-12), which is quaternised with a tertiary or a n-alkylated/n-arylated imidazole, an N-alkylated/N-arylated benzimidazole or an N-alkylated/N-arylated pyrazol to form an anion exchanger polymer. - an inert matrix polymer in which the anion exchange polymer is embedded and which is optionally covalently crosslinked with the halomethylated precursor of the anion exchanger polymer,—a polyethyleneglycol with epoxide or halomethyl terminal groups which are anchored by reacting with N—H-groups of the base matrix polymer using convalent cross-linking—optionally an acidic polymer which forms with the anion-exchanger polymer an ionic cross-linking (negative bound ions of the acidic polymer forming ionic cross-linking positions relative to the positive cations of the anion-exchanger polymer)—optionally a sulphonated polymer (polymer with sulphate groups —SO2Me, Me=any cation), which forms with the halomethyl groups of the halomethylated polymer convalent crosslinking bridges with sulfinate S-alkylation. The invention also relates to a method for producing said membranes, to the use of said membranes in electrochemical energy conversion processes (e.g. Redox-flow batteries and other flow batteries, PEM-electrolyses, membrane fuel cells), and in other membrane methods (e.g. electrodialysis, diffusion dialysis).

The present invention relates to a chemically modified anion exchange membrane and a method of preparing the same and, more particularly, an anion exchange membrane in which sulfonic acid groups in a perfluorinated sulfonic acid electrolyte membrane are substituted with anion conductive groups such as ammonium group, phosphonium group, imidazolium group, pyridinium group and sulfonium group, and a method of preparing an anion exchange membrane by chemically modifying sulfonic acid groups in a perfluorinated sulfonic acid electrolyte membrane.

The present invention relates to a chemically modified anion exchange membrane and a method of preparing the same and, more particularly, an anion exchange membrane in which sulfonic acid groups in a perfluorinated sulfonic acid electrolyte membrane are substituted with anion conductive groups such as ammonium group, phosphonium group, imidazolium group, pyridinium group and sulfonium group, and a method of preparing an anion exchange membrane by chemically modifying sulfonic acid groups in a perfluorinated sulfonic acid electrolyte membrane.

The present invention provides compounds, especially polymeric compounds, having preferably at least one spiro or piperidine structural unit, a process for preparation thereof and the use thereof as anion conducting membrane.