Fabrication of High-Alkaline Stable Quaternized Poly(arylene ether ketone)/Graphene Oxide Derivative Including Zwitterion for Alkaline Fuel Cells

Anion-exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) systems have emerged as a promising alternative for proton-exchange membrane due to their reasonable manufacturing cost and fast oxidation–reduction reactions. But, polymer backbone with ether linker-based poly arylene ether is quickly decomposed in high alkaline media, limiting the commercialization possibilities. Herein, a series of anion-exchange composite membranes having a graphene oxide derivative [graphene oxide linked with methyl orange (GO-MO) containing zwitterion] has been prepared for an anion-exchange membrane with improved ion conductivity and excellent alkaline stability. Here, the compositional ratio of quaternized poly­(arylene ether ketone)@GO-MO was optimized with regard to dimensional properties and chemical stability. In particular, QPAEK@GO-MO 0.7 wt % exhibited the highest ion conductivity of 118.5 mS cm–1 with suitable dimensional stability, and peak power density of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) based upon QPAEK@GO-MO 0.7 wt % reached 303.2 mW cm–2 at 60 °C in an H2/O2 fuel cell test. Moreover, the alkaline stability of composite membranes shows to be considerably stable in high alkaline concentrations. This work provides a new strategy for fabricating the composite membrane introducing GO derivative including zwitterion for potential application of AEMFCs.