DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENT SUPPORTED POLYMER-BASED HIGH PERFORMANCE ANION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FOR ALKALINE FUEL CELLS

Abstract

Deep eutectic solvent (DES)-supported polymer-based anion-exchange membrane (AEM) was prepared by a new approach, where a crosslinked poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)-based nanofiber mat was impregnated with DES by soaking method. A PVA-based nanofibers were obtained using electrospinning method and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) in concentrations ranging from 4 wt.% to 8 wt.%. DES was synthesized by mixing choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) at a molar ratio of 1:3, respectively. Electrochemical characterization of AEM modified with DES (DES3@PVA4) revealed a conductivity of 0.66 and 1.05 mS/cm at room temperature and 60 oC, respectively. Moreover, the absence of swelling and a significant improvement in elongation at break were identified from 0.24 to 1.08 %. Thus, the DES-supported PVA-based composite membrane demonstrated high hydroxide conductivity, flexibility, and mechanical stability in a fully hydrated state, showing potential to be utilized as an AEM for alkaline fuel cell (AFC) applications.