Anion-exchange membranes composed of quaternized-chitosan derivatives for alkaline fuel cells

作者：Wan Ying; Peppley Brant^*; Creber Katherine A M; Bui V Tam

来源：Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(12): 3785-3793.

DOI：10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.123

• Quaternized-chitosan
• Anion-exchange membrane
• Alkaline fuel cell

A series of quaternized-chitosan derivatives (QCDs) with various degrees of quaternization was synthesized using glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride as a main quaternized reagent. These QCDs were then processed into hydroxide-form quaternary ammonium salts with aqueous potassium hydroxide solutions. The resultant hydroxide-form QCD gels were further crosslinked into anion-exchange membranes using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether. The crosslinking density, crystallinity, swelling index, ion exchange capacity, ionic conductivity and thermal stability of the crosslinked membranes were subsequently investigated. It was found that properties of crosslinked membranes were modulated mainly by the degree of quaternization and crosslinking density of membranes. Some membranes exhibited promising characteristics and had the potential for applications in alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells in considering their integrative properties.

• 出版日期2010-6-15