ABSTRACT

Ion exchange membrane fuel cells, which can directly convert chemical energy to electric power in a highly efficient and environmental-friendly manner, are recognized as a promising technology to solve the challenges of energy shortage and environmental pollution. Ion exchange membranes generally work as the ion conductor and fuel separator in a fuel cell. Fuel cell requires that proton exchange membranes (PEMs) possess high proton conductivity as well as superior dimensional stability. The PEMs are generally composed of polymer backbones and functional groups. The synthesis of block copolymers for PEM originates from polystyrene and its derivatives due to the well-established synthesis procedure of controlled radical polymerization. The resulting copolymers with low poly-dispersity indices are in favor of self-assembly forming various morphologies, such as disordered, lamellar, hexagonal packed cylinders, hexagonally perforated lammellar and gyroid phases.