Anion exchange membranes with a semi-interpenetrating polymer network using 1,6-dibromohexane as bifunctional crosslinker

An anion exchange membrane(AEM)is generally expected to possess high ion exchange capacity(IEC),low water uptake(WU),and high mechanical strength when applied to electrodialysis desalination.Among different types of AEMs,semi-interpenetrating polymer networks(SIPNs)have been suggested for their structural superiorities,i.e.,the tunable local density of ion exchange groups for IEC and the restrained leaching of hygroscopic groups by insolubility for WU.Unfortunately,the conventional SIPN AEMs still struggle to balances IEC,WU,and mechanical strength simultaneously,due to the lack of the compact crosslinking region.In this work,we proposed a novel SIPN structure of polyvinylidene difluoride/polyvinylimidazole/1,6-dibromohexane(PVDF/PVIm/DBH).On the one hand,DBH with two cationic groups of imidazole groups are introduced to enhance the ion conductivity,which is different from the conventional monofunctional modifier with only one cationic group.On the other hand,DBH has the ability to bridge with PVIm,where the mechanical strength of the resulting AEM is increased by the increase of crosslinking degree.Results show that a low WU of 38.1%to 62.6%,high IEC of 2.12—2.22 mmol·g^(-1),and excellent tensile strength of 3.54—12.35 MPa for PVDF/PVIm/DBH membrane are achieved.This work opens a new avenue for achieving the high-quality AEMs.

Fluorinated semi-interpenetrating polymer networks for enhancing the mechanical performance and storage stability of polymer-bonded explosives by controlling curing and phase separation rates

Herein, the effect of fluoropolymer binders on the properties of polymer-bonded explosives(PBXs) was comprehensively investigated. To this end, fluorinated semi-interpenetrating polymer networks(semiIPNs) were prepared using different catalyst amounts(denoted as F23-CLF-30-D). The involved curing and phase separation processes were monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, a haze meter and a rheometer. Curing rate constant and activation energy were calculated using a theoretical model and numerical method, respectively. Results revealed that owing to its co-continuous micro-phase separation structure, the F23-CLF-30-D3 semi-IPN exhibited considerably higher tensile strength and elongation at break than pure fluororubber F2314 and the F23-CLF-30-D0 semi-IPN because the phase separation and curing rates matched in the initial stage of curing.An arc Brazilian test revealed that F23-CLF-30-D-based composites used as mock materials for PBXs exhibited excellent mechanical performance and storage stability. Thus, the matched curing and phase separation rates play a crucial role during the fabrication of high-performance semi-IPNs;these factors can be feasibly controlled using an appropriate catalyst amount.

Semi-Interpenetrating Novolac-Epoxy Thermoset Polymer Networks Derived from Plant Biomass

Bio-based phenol-formaldehyde polymer (BioNovolac) was developed by reacting molar excess of bio-oil/phenolwith formaldehyde in acidic medium. Glycidyl 3,5-diglycidoxybenzoate (GDGB), was prepared by directglycidylation of α-resorcylic acid (RA), a naturally occurring phenolic monomer. GDGB was crosslinked in thepresence of BioNovolac by anionic polymerization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmedthe formation of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. The glass transition temperature and moduli of biobasedcrosslinked systems were observed to increase with increasing GDGB content. Active chain density andmass retention measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and Soxhlet extraction, respectively, indicated ahigh crosslink density of the cured networks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted thehomogeneity of the bulk phase. The preparation of bio-based epoxy-novolac thermoset network resulted inreduced consumption of petroleum-based chemicals.

Novel Semi-IPN Gel Electrolyte for Polymer Lithium-ion Battery

A new type of semi-IPN gel electrolyte was prepared by thermal polymerization in this article.The cross-linked PEG200 (MXPEG) was prepared by condensation reaction in the presence of methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MAPTMS),the condensation product was then blent with PMMA and polymerized to form polymer blends with semi-IPN fabric.Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy were used to investigate the thermal transition behavior of the polymer blends prepared.Ion-conducting behaviors and the electrochemical stability window for semi-IPN gel electrolyte were investigated by means ofimpedance spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry.The Arrhenius-type relationship was observed in the temperature dependence ofionic conductivity.All the properties shows that the prepared semi-IPN gel electrolyte possesses certain levels of electrolye salt and plasticizer were expected to have applications of gel polymer electrolyte for lithium polymer secondary batteries.

A self-standing,UV-cured semi-interpenetrating polymer network reinforced composite gel electrolytes for dendrite-suppressing lithium ion batteries

A self-standing,flexible and lithium dendrite growth-suppressing composite gel polymer electrolyte membrane was designed for the use of room-temperature lithium ion batteries.The multi-functional composite semi-interpenetrating polymer network(referred to as“Cs-IPN”)electrolyte membrane was fabricated by combining a UV-cured ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate(ETPTA)macromer with alumina nanoparticles in the presence of liquid electrolyte and thermoplastic linear poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO).The polymer electrolyte membrane exhibits a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure and a higher room temperature ionic conductivity,which impart the electrolyte with a significant cycling(120 mAh g^(-1)after 200 cycles)and a remarkable rate(137 mAh g^(-1)at 0.1℃,130 mAh g^(-1)at 0.5℃,119 mAh g^(-1)at 1℃ and 100 mAh g^(-1)at 2℃)performance in Li/LiFePO4 battery.More importantly,the polymer electrolyte possesses superior ability to inhibit the growth of lithium dendrites,which makes it promising for next generation lithium ion batteries.

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks toward sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes for high concentration direct methanol fuel cell

Low methanol permeability of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) is greatly important for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Here, sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) based semiinterpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) are successfully prepared by interpenetrating SPEEK into the in-situ synthesized crosslinking networks. The polymeric networks are formed by the covalent bonds between bromobenzyl groups of bro mo methylated poly (phenylene oxide) and amine groups of diamine linkers as well as the ionic bonds between amine species and sulfonated groups. Two linkers without and with sulfonated groups are applied to fabricate the semi-IPNs. The core properties of the membranes, like phase separation, water uptake, proton conductivity and methanol permeability, are systematically studied and compared. The DMFCs assembled by using the semi-IPN membranes display better performance than Nafion 117 in high concentration methanol solutions. The present work provides a facile way to prepare PEMs with enhanced DMFC performance.