Chitosan Modified by Polymeric Reactive Dyes Containing Quanternary Ammonium Groups as a Novel Anion Exchange Membrane for Alkaline Fuel Cells

A new type of anion exchange membranes based on Chitosan (CTS) modified by polymeric reactive dyes containing quanternary ammonium groups (PRDQA) has been prepared and evaluated as OH− conducting polymer electrolytes. The effect of the content of PRDQA on membrane OH− conductivity and water uptake was studied using AC impedance technique and weighing method, respectively. FTIR and SEM were used for chemical and structural characterization of the membranes. The CTS/PRDQA membrane (1:0.5 in mass) exhibited a high OH− conductivity of 8.17×10-3S cm-1 at room temperature. At a current density of 57.4mA cm−2, this membrane achieved a power density of 29.1mW cm−2 with an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 991.6mV in a H2/O2 system. Compared to the pristine CTS membrane, this membrane also demonstrated a good stability after one week testing in the 8.0M of KOH solution at 80oC in terms of both integrity and OH− conductivity.