• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.204-210
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• 2013

Thin pore-filled cation and anion-exchange membranes (PFCEM and PFAEMs, $t_m=25-30{\mu}m$) were prepared using a porous polymeric substrate for efficient all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRB). The electrochemical and charge-discharge performances of the membranes have been systematically investigated and compared with those of commercially available ion-exchange membranes. The pore-filled membranes were shown to have higher permselectivity as well as lower electrical resistances than those of the commercial membranes. In addition, the VRBs employing the pore-filled membranes exhibited the respectable charge-discharge performances, showing the energy efficiencies (EE) of 82.4% and 84.9% for the PFCEM and PFAEM, respectively (cf. EE = 87.2% for Nafion 1135). The results demonstrated that the pore-filled ion-exchange membranes could be successfully used in VRBs as an efficient separator by replacing expensive Nafion membrane.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2011

In this study, several anion exchange membranes were successfully prepared by radiation grafting of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) monomer onto a polyethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) film and subsequent quaternarization with diamins such as 1,4-diazbicyclo[2,2,2]octane, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-diaminopropane, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,6-diaminohexane, and trimethylamine. The anion exchange capacities of the prepared membranes were determined by using acid-base titration method. The cross-sectional morphology of the membranes was studied by using SEM instrument. The cross-sectional distribution patterns of the grafted polymers with anion exchange functional groups were also studied by EDX analysis.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.77-80
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• 2006

Chloromethylated polysulfone(CMPSf) and a number of mono- and diamine compounds were used to prepare anion-exchange membranes(AEMs) and an ionomer binder solution. The properties of the AEMs were investigated such as $OH^-$ conductivity, water content and dimension stability. Chloromethylation and amination of PSf were optimized in terms of the properties. Membrane-electrode assemblies were fabricated using anion-exchange membranes and the ionomer binder for solid alkaline fuel cells and direct borohydride fuel cells.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.371-383
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• 2021

Anion exchange membranes have been used for water electrolysis, which can produce hydrogen, and fuel cells, which can generate electrical energy using hydrogen fuel. Anion exchange membranes operate based on hydroxide ion (OH^-) conduction under alkaline conditions. However, since the anion exchange membrane shows relatively low ion conductivity and alkaline stability, there is still a limit to its commercialization in water electrolysis and fuel cells. To address these issues, it is important to develop novel anion exchange membrane materials by rationally designing a polymer structure. In particular, the polymer structure and synthetic method need to be controlled. By doing so, for polymers, the physical properties, ionic conductivity, and alkaline stability can be maintained. Among many anion exchange membranes, poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) is commercially available and easily accessible. In addition, the PPO has relatively high mechanical and chemical stability compared to other polymers. In this review, we introduce the recent development strategy and characteristics of PPO-based polymer materials used in anion exchange membranes.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.463-471
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• 2014

While poly(styrene)-based anion exchange membranes have the advantage like easy and simple manufacturing process, they also possess the disadvantage of poor durability due to their brittleness. Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber was used here as an additive to make the membranes have improved flexibility and durability. For the preparation of the anion exchange membranes, a PP mesh substrate was immersed into monomer solutions with vinylbenzyl chloride, styrene, divinylbenzene and benzoyl peroxide, then thermally polymerized & crosslinked. The prepared membranes were subsequently post-aminated using trimethylamine to result in $-N+(CH_3)_3$ group-containing composite membranes. Various contents of vinylbenzyl chloride and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber were investigated to optimize the membrane properties and the prepared membranes were evaluated in terms of water content, ion exchange capacity and electric resistance. It was found that the optimized composite membranes showed higher IEC and lower electric resistance than a commercial anion exchange membrane(AMX) and have excellent flexibility and durability.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2010

A series of anion exchange composite membranes were prepared and characterized for electrodialysis processes used in the removal of nitrate nitrogen and ions in groundwater. The membranes were prepared as follows; first, fabric substrates were fully impregnated with monomer mixtures of vinylbenzylchloride (VBC), divinylbenzene (DVB), Styrene (ST) and $\alpha,\alpha$-Azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN). Second, they were thermally polymerized to yield crosslinked poly (VBCST- DVB)/fabric composite membranes. Finally, the membranes were treated with trimethylamine (TMA) / acetone to give $-N^+(CH_3)_3^-$-containing poly(VBC-ST-DVB)/fabric membranes. The basic membrane properties such as ion exchange capacity (IEC), electric resistance and water content of the resulting membranes were measured as a function of VBC/DVB and TMA/Acetone content. As a result, the composite membranes showed lower electric resistance and higher IEC than commercial anion exchange membranes (AMX, Astom). Electrodialysis tests using the prepared membranes were carried out for the removal of various ions such as $NaNO_3$, $MgSO_4$ and NaF for 60 minutes. The results showed that the ions were removed below 1 mg/L within about 15 minutes which indicates that the anion exchange membranes prepared here could be applied to the electrodialysis process. as can be seen in the following that the ion conductivity values were almost no change after 15 minutes electrodialysis.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.458-465
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• 2018

This study reports the fabrication of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) containing two kinds of functional groups: i) trimethylphosphite (TMP) and ii) trimethylamine (TMA). We carried out the synthesis of polymers to enhance thermal stability and ion conductivity. The alternative polymer was prepared using 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propane and decafluorobiphenyl. The membrane was fabricated by solution casting method. The thermal stability of membranes was examined by TGA. The physiochemical properties of membranes were also investigated in terms of water uptake, swelling ratio, ion exchange capacity, and ion conductivity. The hydroxide ion conductivity of the membranes reached about 20.2 mS/cm for quaternary ammonium poly(arylene ether) (QA-PAE) containing TMA moiety and 5.1 mS/cm for quaternary phosphonium PAE (QP-PAE) containing TMP moiety at $90^{\circ}C$.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.496-513
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• 2022

In this study, we sought to verify the applicability of anion exchange membrane water electrolysis system using FAA-3-50, Neosepta-ASE, Sustainion grade T, and Fujifilm type 10, which are commercial anion exchange membranes. The morphology of the commercial membranes and the elements on the surface were analyzed using SEM/EDX to confirm the distribution of functional groups included in the commercial membranes. In addition, mechanical strength and decomposition temperature were measured using UTM and TGA to check whether the driving conditions of the water electrolyte were satisfied. The ion exchange capacity and ion conductivity were measured to understand the performance of anion exchange membranes, and the alkaline resistance of each commercial membrane was checked and durability test was performed because they were driven in an alkaline environment. Finally, a membrane-electrode assembly was manufactured and a water electrolysis single cell test was performed to confirm cell performance at 60℃, 70℃, and 80℃. The long-term cell test was measured 20 cycles at other temperatures to compare water electrolysis performance.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.336-347
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• 2022

Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is one of the promising eco-friendly renewable energy technologies which can generate electricity from the concentration difference between seawater and freshwater by using ion-exchange membranes as a diaphragm. The ion-exchange membrane is a key component that determines the performance of RED, and must satisfy requirements such as low electrical resistance, high permselectivity, excellent durability, and low manufacturing cost. In this study, pore-filled anion-exchange membranes were fabricated using porous polymer substrates having various thicknesses and porosity, and the effects of ion-exchange polymer composition and membrane thickness on the power generation performance of RED were investigated. When the electrical resistance of the ion-exchange membrane is sufficiently low, it can be confirmed that the RED power generation performance is mainly influenced by the apparent permselectivity of the membrane. In addition, it was confirmed that the apparent permselectivity of the membranes can be improved through IEC, crosslinking degree, membrane thickness, surface modification, etc., and the optimum condition must be found in consideration of the trade-off relationship with electrical resistance.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.524-533
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• 2021

In this study, a series of anion conductive organic/inorganic composite membranes with excellent ionic conductivity and chemical stability were prepared by introducing graphene oxide (GO) inorganic nanofiller into the quaternized poly(phenylen oxide (Q-PPO) polymer matrix. The fabricated organic/inorganic composite membranes showed higher ionic conductivity than the pristine membrane. In particular, Q-PPO/GO 0.7 showed the highest ionic conductivity value of 143.2 mS/cm at 90℃, which was 1.56 times higher than the pristine membrane Q-PPO (91.5 mS/cm). In addition, the organic/inorganic composite membrane showed superior dimensional stability and alkaline stability compared to the pristine membrane, and the physicochemical stability was improved as the content of inorganic fillers increased. Therefore, we suggest that the as-prepared organic/inorganic composite membranes are very promising materials for anion exchange membrane applications with high conductivity and alkaline stability.