Alkaline Fuel Cell Performance with a Polymerized Ionic Liquid Block Copolymer As the Anion Exchange Membrane

Development of new anion exchange membranes (AEMs) that are highly conductive in alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) is required in order to achieve long-lasting low-cost solid-state AFCs. In this study, a polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) block copolymer, poly (MMA-b-MUBIm-HCO₃), comprising of an IL component (1-[(2-methacryloyloxy)undecyl]-3-butylimidazolium bicarbonate) (MUBIm-HCO₃) and a mechanically robust component, methylmethacrylate (MMA), was synthesized via reverse addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique followed by post-functionalization and ion exchange. AEMs were then fabricated via solution casting of this PIL block copolymer and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were subsequently constructed with these AEMs. Adequate AFC performance was achieved with this PIL block copolymer as the AEM. The effect of the MEA fabrication technique, electrode composition, fuel flow rate, fuel purity, back pressure, AEM thickness, and PIL block copolymer composition in the MEA on AFC performance will be presented.