Najibah, M. Tsoy, E. Khalid, H. Chen, Y. Li, Q. Bae, C. Hn？t, J. Plevov？, M. Bouzek, K. Jang, J.H. Park, H.S. Henkensmeier, D. 2024-01-19T13:04:35Z 2024-01-19T13:04:35Z 2021-10-21 2021-12 0376-7388 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/116023 Anion exchange membranes (AEM) are key components in anion exchange membrane water electrolysers. Recently developed materials are less susceptible to the alkaline degradation of the polymer backbone and quaternary ammonium groups. A remaining challenge is the mechanical stability in contact with hot water and dimensional stability when the temperature of the feed solution changes. One solution is to reinforce membranes with a porous support. Since support materials like PEEK or PTFE have a different swelling behavior than the matrix and no strong interactions with the matrix, voids can form, and gas crossover increases. In this work, we approach this issue by pore filling polybenzimidazole nanofiber mats with the bromomethylated precursor of mTPN, an ultra-stable AEM material. During drying, a covalent interaction between support (PBI amine groups) and matrix (-CH2Br) is established. After quaternization, the optimized PBI/mTPN-50.120 composite membrane still shows a high conductivity of 62 mS cm？1, but 37% reduced length swelling in comparison to the non-reinforced membrane. Tensile strength and Young's modulus increase 17% and 56% to 49 MPa and 680 MPa, respectively. In an electrolyser, a stable voltage of 1.98V at 0.25 A cm？2 was achieved, and no change in membrane resistance was observed over the test time of 200 h (50 °C, 1 M KOH, catalysts based on Ni/Fe and Mo). ？ 2021 The Authors English Elsevier BV PBI nanofiber mat-reinforced anion exchange membranes with covalently linked interfaces for use in water electrolysers Article 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119832 1 Journal of Membrane Science, v.640 Journal of Membrane Science 640 Y scie scopus 000705873400004 2-s2.0-85114817828 Engineering, Chemical Polymer Science Engineering Polymer Science Article Composite membranes Elastic moduli Ions Mechanical stability Nanofibers Potassium hydroxide Reinforcement Swelling Tensile strength Alkaline degradation Feed solution Hot water matrix Nanofiber mats Polybenzmidazole Polymer backbones Quaternary ammonium group Water electrolyser Water electrolysis Ion exchange membranes imidazole derivative nanofiber nitrogen polybenzmidazole unclassified drug water anion exchange Article artificial membrane atmosphere catalyst chemical interaction conductance covalent bond electrolysis electrospinning evaporation membrane resistance nanofabrication quaternization tensile strength Young modulus Anion Exchange Ions Membranes Potassium Hydroxide Reinforcement Swelling Tensile Strength Water Anion exchange membrane Electrospinning Nanofiber mat Polybenzmidazole Water electrolysis