Composite crosslinked anion exchange membrane for fuel cells with carboxylated graphene oxide as crosslinking agent

Using carboxylated graphene oxide (CFGO) as inorganic crosslinking agent, a series of poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) based complex anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with pyridine cations as conduction sites were prepared successfully. The carboxyl modification can improve the dispersibility of inorganic filler in the polymer and provide more crosslinking sites. At the same time, the two-dimensional layered structure of CFGO and a large number of hydrophilic groups provide good ion transport channels. As a result, compared with the original membrane, the crosslinked composite membranes showed better conductivity and chemical stability. Among them, the conductivity of AP-PPO-CFGO2 reached 102.41 mS/cm at 80 °C, and retained about 70% of the conductivity after soaking in 2 M NaOH for 800 h. Furthermore, the AP-PPO-CFGO2 displayed a power density of 277.5 mW/cm2 in a H2/O2 single cell test at 80 °C.