Alkaline membranes also termed as anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have recently become important materials for electrochemical technology, alkaline fuel cells, and electrolyzers. We report a simple synthesis procedure for an anion-exchange silica precursor (AESP) by epoxide ring opening reaction using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTEOS) and glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GDTMAC). The AESP-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) organic-inorganic hybrid AEM was prepared by the sol–gel method in acidic medium followed by chemical crosslinking of –OH groups via formal reaction. The reported method is a “green” alternative for the production of AEM without the use of any solvent residues or hazardous chemicals. This simplified procedure in aqueous media avoids the use of chloromethyl methyl ether (CME), a carcinogen and harmful to human health. These AEMs (especially AEM-70) were designed to possess all the required properties of a highly anion conductive membrane such as high water uptake (67.3%), ion-exchange capacity (1.36 mequiv g−1), and permselectivity (0.94), along with reasonable conductivity (7.61 mS cm−1) due to quaternary ammonium group functionality. Electroosmotic studies revealed quite low mass drag and equivalent pore radius (2.31–5.28 A°) of the membrane, which are also desirable properties of an efficient AEM. Electrodialytic performance of the AEM-70 membrane revealed its suitability for applications in electro-membrane processes.
