Branched Poly(Aryl Piperidinium) Membranes for Anion‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Anion‐exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are a promising, next‐generation fuel cell technology. AEMFCs require highly conductive and robust anion‐exchange membranes (AEMs), which are challenging to develop due to the tradeoff between conductivity and water uptake. Here we report a method to prepare high‐molecular‐weight branched poly(aryl piperidinium) AEMs. We show that branching reduces water uptake, leading to improved dimensional stability. The optimized membrane, b‐PTP‐2.5, exhibits simultaneously high OH− conductivity (>145 mS cm−1 at 80 °C), high mechanical strength and dimensional stability, good processability, and excellent alkaline stability (>1500 h) in 1 M KOH at 80 °C. AEMFCs based on b‐PTP‐2.5 reached peak power densities of 2.3 W cm−2 in H2−O2 and 1.3 W cm−2 in H2‐air at 80 °C. The AEMFCs can run stably under a constant current of 0.2 A cm−2 over 500 h, during which the b‐PTP‐2.5 membrane remains stable. High‐molecular‐weight branched poly(aryl piperidinium) membranes with high conductivity (147 mS cm−1 at 80 °C) and excellent mechanical (26 % swelling ratio) and chemical stability have been prepared. Anion‐exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) using these membranes exhibit high peak power density (2.3 W cm−2) and durability (500 h).