Side-chain Functionalized Polystyrenes as Membrane Materials for Alkaline Water Electrolyzers, Fuel Cells and Flow Batteries

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The invention describes specially designed side-chain functionalized polystyrene polymers and copolymers that serve as improved anion exchange membrane (AEM) materials. These materials are intended for use in electrochemical systems operating under alkaline conditions, such as water electrolyzers, fuel cells, and flow batteries. The polymers have unique side chains (with quaternary ammonium groups spaced by longer alkyl chains) that provide high ionic conductivity and superior chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability compared to existing materials. The invention covers the synthesis, structure, and use of these improved polymers as membranes and in blends with other stable polymers.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Alkaline water electrolyzers for efficient hydrogen production.
• Alkaline fuel cells as membranes or binder materials for improved energy conversion.
• Redox-flow batteries as stable ion-conducting membranes for large-scale energy storage.
• Electrodialysis, diffusionsdialysis, and Donnan dialysis processes for industrial separations or water treatment.
• Electrodes or catalyst layer binders in electrochemical devices that require alkaline stability.
• General advanced ionomer materials for next-generation alkaline electrochemical systems.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Elevated chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability in harsh alkaline environments, leading to longer device lifetimes.
• High hydroxide and chloride ion conductivity for improved performance in energy conversion and storage devices.
• Reduced membrane brittleness due to the unique side-chain design which acts as an internal plasticizer.
• Excellent compatibility with stable matrix polymers (such as polybenzimidazoles), enabling production of robust blend membranes.
• Flexible synthesis allows tuning of material properties (ionic exchange capacity, hydrophobicity, mechanical traits) for target applications.
• Potential to lower costs and improve efficiency by outperforming commercial membrane materials in hydrogen, fuel cell, and flow battery systems.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to side-chain functionalized polymers and copolymers and their use as alkaline anion exchange membrane materials, for example in alkaline water electrolyzers, fuel cells or flow batteries.