New polyethylene based ion exchange membranes: Synthesis and performance

This paper discusses a new class of ion exchange membranes (IEMs) based on PE backbone and some flexible side chains containing ionic species, i.e. SO ₃H groups in PEMs and NR3+Cl- groups in AEMs, with or without cross-linked PE matrix. Evidently, the strong hydrophobic PE matrix provides advantages in forming stable hydrophilic ion channels that exhibit a unique combination of high ion conductivity, moderate water swelling, good mechanical and thermal stability. We have observed a through-plane H+ conductivity of 144 mS/cm in a PE-g-sulfonated polysulfone PEM membrane and 119.6 mS/cm through-plane Cl- conductivity in a x-PE-N(CH ₃)3+Cl- AEM membrane at room temperature.