Anion-exchange membranes (AEM) are envisioned as the enabling materials for the widespread use of cost-effective and efficient polymeric fuel cells. Advancing the understanding of the effect of radiation-induced grafting (RIG) method on the final properties of AEMs is crucial to boost the performance of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). The present study provides a systematic investigation of the effect of RIG methods on physicochemical properties of LDPE-based AEMs with similar degree of grafting (DoG) and ion exchange capacity (IEC). Samples grafted by two methods − pre-irradiation (PIM) and simultaneous (SM) − have the same molecular structure, but distinct physicochemical properties due to markedly differences in the degree of crosslinking. Detailed characterization of AEMs showed that RIG method determines the mechanical properties, water transport, and the distribution of ionic groups, which have a direct impact on fuel cell performance and durability. The discussed results show that grafting step directly influences the internal structure and morphology. Controlling the synthesis parameters during RIG is a key feature to design AEMs with enhanced properties that lead to high AEMFC performance and stability.

阴离子交换膜 (AEM) 被设想为广泛使用具有成本效益和高效的聚合物燃料电池的使能材料。进一步了解辐射诱导接枝 (RIG) 方法对 AEM 最终性能的影响对于提高阴离子交换膜燃料电池 (AEMFC) 的性能至关重要。本研究系统地研究了 RIG 方法对具有相似接枝度 (DoG) 和离子交换容量 (IEC) 的 LDPE 基 AEM 理化性质的影响。通过两种方法接枝的样品 - 预辐照 (PIM) 和同步 (SM) - 具有相同的分子结构，但由于交联度的显着差异而具有不同的物理化学性质。AEM 的详细表征表明 RIG 方法决定了机械性能，水传输和离子基团的分布，这对燃料电池的性能和耐久性有直接影响。讨论的结果表明，接枝步骤直接影响内部结构和形态。在 RIG 期间控制合成参数是设计具有增强 AEMFC 性能和稳定性的 AEM 的关键特征。