Graphene-mediated organic-inorganic composites with improved hydroxide conductivity and outstanding alkaline stability for anion exchange membranes

A series of composite membranes for application as anion exchange membranes were prepared by introducing various amounts (0.1–5.0 wt%) of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into chloromethylated poly(arylene ether ketone) (CM-PAEK), followed by quarternization and anionization. CM-PAEK/rGO composite membranes with controlled weight ratios of rGO were fabricated by cost-competitive solution casting method. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images of the composite membranes showed that the distribution of rGO was uniform, and the prepared membranes have similar thicknesses confirmed by the cross-sectional image. The composite membranes exhibited enhanced the mechanical strength due to π-π interaction between the aromatic chain of rGO and the polymer backbone, and after the quaternization, hydroxide conduction was improved by hydrogen bonding between rGO and functional ammonium groups. Among the QN-PAEK/rGO membranes with various amounts of rGO, QN-PAEK/rGO 1.0 wt% demonstrated the highest ionic conductivity of 115 mS cm⁻¹, and other composite membranes, which were blended more than that (3 wt% and 5 wt%), showed a decrease in ionic conductivity due to aggregation of inorganic nano fillers. Furthermore, alkaline resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability of composite membranes have been greatly improved due to the introduction of rGO, which demonstrate great potential application as anion exchange membrane for fuel cells.