Synthesis of Anion Exchange Membranes Containing PVDF/PES and Either PEI or Fumion.

In this work, the preparation of dense blended membranes, from blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) or Fumion, with possible applications in alkaline fuel cell (AEMFC) is reported. The blended PEI/Fumion membranes were prepared under a controlled air atmosphere by a solvent evaporation method, and were characterized regarding water uptake, swelling ratio, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ion exchange capacity (IEC), OH conductivity and novel hydroxide ion exchange rate (HIER), which is related to the mass transport capacity of the OH ions through the membrane. The effect of the chemical composition on its morphological and anion exchange properties was evaluated.