Polysulfone-Based Anion-Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Water Electrolyzers

Abstract

Using the method of polysulfone chloromethylation followed by quaternization, an anion-exchange membrane is synthesized for water electrolyzers with alkaline electrolyte. The characteristics of this membrane such as porosity, electrical conductivity, and gas-tightness are determined. A comparative analysis of characteristics of this membrane as compared with a porous diaphragm (analog of ZifronPerl) is carried out. The results of tests of the membrane within an alkaline electrolyzer battery are compared with the results for the porous diaphragm based on unmodified polysulfone with a hydrophilic filler (TiO₂) and synthesized by phase inversion. The possible mechanism of the degradation of the main chain in quaternized polysulfone is presented. The ways are proposed for the further development of the technology of anion-exchange membranes based on polysulfone.