Cationic Metallo‐Polyelectrolytes for Robust Alkaline Anion‐Exchange Membranes

Chemically inert, mechanically tough, cationic metallo‐polyelectrolytes were conceptualized and designed as durable anion‐exchange membranes (AEMs). Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cobaltocenium‐containing cyclooctene with triazole as the only linker group, followed by backbone hydrogenation, led to a new class of AEMs with a polyethylene‐like framework and alkaline‐stable cobaltocenium cation for ion transport. These AEMs exhibited excellent thermal, chemical and mechanical stability, as well as high ion conductivity. Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cobaltocenium‐containing cyclooctene with triazole as the only linker group, followed by backbone hydrogenation, has led to a new class of anion‐exchange membranes (AEMs) with a polyethylene‐like framework and alkaline‐stable cobaltocenium cations for the ion transport. The AEMs show excellent thermal, chemical and mechanical stability, as well as high ion conductivity.