title: Stabilizing the imidazolium cation in hydroxide-exchange membranes for fuel cells.
abstract: Stable and able: The hydroxide-conducting cationic functional group used in the hydroxide-exchange membranes of fuel cells is key to controlling chemical stability and solubility. A new imidazolium cation, 1,4,5-trimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)imidazolium, is designed to take advantage of both strong electron-donation properties and steric hindrance. Synergy between these two effects leads to an efficient hydroxide-exchange membrane, with increased alkaline stability and improved OH(-) conductivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 (USA).
authors.forename: Junhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Kaspar
authors.forename: Bingzi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yushan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D007474:Ion Exchange; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D007093:Imidazoles; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C031356:hydroxide ion
keywords: cations; fuel cells; imidazolium; membranes; synergy