A strategy to construct alkali-stable anion exchange membranes bearing ammonium groups via flexible spacers

A novel strategy is provided to construct alkali-stable poly(phenylene oxide) based anion exchange membranes to alleviate cation-induced degradation. The facile and safe Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction was employed in grafting phenylpropyl bromide followed by quaternization and alkalization. Enhanced hydroxide conductivity and suppressed water swelling were obtained.