Alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs) have received much attention as next generation, platinum free fuel cells for future energy applications. A significant challenge to the development of APEFCs is the fabrication of suitable anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) for use within the fuel cells. Recently, a synthesis based on the reaction of Nafion® sulfonyl fluoride membranes with diamine 1, 4-dimethylpiperazine has been proposed as a method for making AEMs.
In this Hot Article, Varcoe and co-workers investigate the Nafion-based systems using a combination of vibration spectroscopy, solid state NMR and measurement of ion exchange capabilities. They find strong evidence that membranes synthesised by the reported procedure are predominantly in the cation-exchange form. These findings suggest that, contrary to previous reports, the membranes are not suitable for use in electrochemical devices requiring anion exchange polymer electrolytes, such as APEFCs.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013,1, 1018-1021 DOI: 10.1039/C2TA00955B
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