Design concepts for aromatic ionomers and ionomer membranes to be applied to fuel cells and electrolysis

Abstract

In this review the research of the author's group regarding the optimization of the chemical stability and properties of aromatic ion-exchange polymers by suitable and systematic synthesis of electron-deficient monomer building blocks and by their (co) polymerization into highly stable aromatic ionomers are presented. Moreover, the preparation of physically or covalently cross-linked ion-exchange membranes by blending these ionomers with each other and with suitable commercial polymers to finally afford ion-exchange membranes with properties tailored for electromembrane applications such as fuel cells, electrolyses, and redox-flow batteries are described