Stable Anion Exchange Membrane Bearing Quinuclidinium for High-performance Water Electrolysis

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are core components in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEM-WEs). However, the stability of functional quaternary ammonium cations, especially under high temperatures and harsh alkaline conditions, seriously affects their performance and durability. Herein, we synthesized a 1-methyl-3,3-diphenylquinuclidinium molecular building unit. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and accelerated aging analysis indicated that the quinine ring structure was exceedingly stable, and the S_N2 degradation mechanism dominated. Through acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts polymerization, a series of branched poly(aryl-quinuclidinium) (PAQ-x) AEMs with controllable molecular weight and adjustable ion exchange capacity (IEC) were prepared. The stable quinine structure in PAQ-x was verified and retained in the ex situ alkaline stability. Furthermore, the branched polymer structure reduces the swelling rate and water uptake to achieve a tradeoff between dimensional stability and ionic conductivity, significantly improving the membrane's overall performance. Importantly, PAQ-5 was used in non-noble metal-based AEM-WE, achieving a high current density of 8 A cm^-2 at 2 V and excellent stability over 2446 h in a gradient constant current test. Based on the excellent alkaline stability of this diaryl-quinuclidinium group, it can be further considered as a multifunctional building unit to create multi-topological polymers for energy conversion devices used in alkaline environments.