Issue 29, 2017

Dimensionally stable hexamethylenetetramine functionalized polysulfone anion exchange membranes

Abstract

A novel alkaline group, hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) with four tertiary amine groups and β-hydrogen-absent structure, has been employed as mono-quaternization reagent to prepare HMTA mono-quaternized polysulfone anion exchange membranes (PSF-QuOH AEMs). Analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations, mono-quaternized HMTA shows a superior aggregating ability by strong electrostatic interaction with hydroxide to suppress water swelling even at high IECs. In particular, the PSF-QuOH membrane with a high IEC of 2.23 mmol g−1 exhibits a low swelling ratio of 21% even at 60 °C. The resulting high concentration of cationic groups and the interactions between multiple hydrogen atoms in HMTA and hydroxide/water are helpful to induce the formation of the continuous and efficient hydrogen-bond networks, promoting ionic transport. High hydroxide conductivity of 35 mS cm−1 is achieved at 20 °C. Excellent swelling resistance also benefits the mechanical and chemical stabilities of the PSF-QuOH membranes. A considerable mechanical strength of 17.7 MPa is observed in the fully hydrated membrane. The hydroxide conductivity is stable at around 86% of the initial value after 1 M KOH immersion at 60 °C for 168 h.

Graphical abstract: Dimensionally stable hexamethylenetetramine functionalized polysulfone anion exchange membranes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Feb 2017
Accepted
01 Jun 2017
First published
01 Jun 2017

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017,5, 15038-15047

Dimensionally stable hexamethylenetetramine functionalized polysulfone anion exchange membranes

W. Chen, M. Hu, H. Wang, X. Wu, X. Gong, X. Yan, D. Zhen and G. He, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, 5, 15038 DOI: 10.1039/C7TA01218G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements