{"title":"Tuning membrane surface wetting behavior via dual-nanomaterial functionalization for efficient water purification","authors":"Shuai Liang , Zhibo Ma , Zhonghua Fan , Mengyao Gu , Haojie Ding , Dexiu Wu , Yifan Gao , Xia Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of antifouling membranes is pivotal for advancing membrane technology, yet flexible control over membrane properties remains challenging. Here, we present a dual-nanomaterial functionalization strategy combing surface modified silica (M-SiO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles and layered double hydroxide (M-LDH) nanosheets to synergistically regulate membrane characteristics. Systematic characterizations of the nanomaterials and five nanomaterial-functionalized membranes revealed that the dual-nanomaterial systems maintained colloidal stability (zeta potentials: ∼25–140 mV at pH ∼5–7), and the dual-nanomaterial functionalized membranes exhibited smoother surfaces (<em>R</em><sub>a</sub> as low as ∼28.9 ± 5.9 nm) compared to the pristine membrane (<em>R</em><sub>a</sub> ∼41.3 ± 9.5 nm). The hierarchical surface structure of the dual-nanomaterial functionalized membranes (Mem-S2-L1, Mem-S1-L1, Mem-S1-L2) could promote Wenzel-state contact with water, resulting in faster water contact angle decline compared to the mono-nanomaterial functionalized membranes (Mem-S1, Mem-L1), thereby demonstrating enhanced hydrophilicity. Incorporation of M-LDH conferred simultaneous hydrophilicity (water contact angle as low as ∼14.3°) and oleophobicity (diiodomethane contact angle up to ∼58.6°), and brought about higher water permeabilities (up to ∼2.7 × 10<sup>−6</sup> m s<sup>−1</sup> kPa<sup>−1</sup>, twice that of the pristine membrane) with minimal compromise on rejection capability. Ten-cycle filtration tests using practical membrane bioreactor mixed liquor demonstrated robust antifouling capability across all functionalized membranes. This work establishes a versatile platform for tailoring membrane properties through nanomaterial synergy, offering adaptable solutions for diverse water treatment applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123970"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qiao Liu , Bingshan Tao , Nong Xu , Qing Wang , Long Fan , Yinhua Wan
{"title":"In-situ interlaminar growth of an azine-linked covalent organic framework in the Ti3C2TX membrane for molecule sieving with stable and high-efficiency performance","authors":"Qiao Liu , Bingshan Tao , Nong Xu , Qing Wang , Long Fan , Yinhua Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123966","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123966","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-dimensional (2D) MXene membranes have attracted significant attention for their high efficiency in molecule separation. In this study, an interlaminar <em>in-situ</em> growth strategy was employed to incorporate TpHz into the adjacent layer space between the Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> nanosheets of the 2D Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> membrane. In the typical synthesis process, due to the hydrophilic nature of Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub>, the aqueous phase monomer diffuses through the Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> layers, reacts with the organic phase monomer in the top-surface and generate TpHz <em>in-situ</em>. Gradually, TpHz grows into the interlaminar space of the Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> nanosheets and the interior of the membrane. Owing to the charge transfer interaction existing between the TpHz and Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> nanosheets, the adjacent layer space between the Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> nanosheets is broadened without compromising the structural stability of the composite membranes. Accordingly, the TpHz/Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> composite membrane (TTCM) exhibit highly efficient molecule sieving properties and excellent structural stability, with a high pure water permeance of 986.5 L m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>·bar<sup>−1</sup> and a rejection rate of over 95.0 % for anionic organic dyes. Additionally, the TpHz/Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> layer, with the thickness of only 160 nm, in the TTCM could withstand 80 h of water and solution flushing at a flow rate of 40 L min<sup>−1</sup> in cross-flow filtration tests, maintaining stable solution permeance of 448 L m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>·bar<sup>−1</sup> and rejection rates of 95.3 % demonstrating its high structural stability and potential for expanding industrial application in molecule sieving processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"723 ","pages":"Article 123966"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advancing organic solvent nanofiltration: Unveiling solvent-mediated reciprocal action with innovative polydimethylsiloxane composite membranes","authors":"Yida Wang , Huan Liu , Jiayu Dong , Yan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123964","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123964","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Driven by the need for efficient organic solvent recovery, membrane-based organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) technology has garnered significant attention for its cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. Unlike aqueous filtration systems, the complex solvent environment in OSN processes leads to intricate solvent-mediated reciprocal actions among membranes, solvents and solutes, which, in turn, impact on the membrane performance, yet these effects remain unexplored. This study addressed this gap by systematically investigating these interactions and their effect on solvent permeation, solute distribution, and solvation-induced electrification, through the utilization of an innovative polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite membrane. Our findings revealed that the solvent-mediated reciprocal actions result in different surface charge of the membrane in different solvents, leading to the solute rejection variation. Moreover, the discrepancy in the relative energy difference between the solvent and membrane contributed to variations in solvent permeance. The developed PDMS composite membrane achieved significantly enhanced solvent permeance and solute distribution, while its charged characteristics facilitated effective purification of charged contaminants beyond size exclusion limits. Remarkably, this PDMS composite membrane achieved ethyl acetate permeance up to eight times greater than current state-of-the-art polymeric OSN membranes, and demonstrated substantial dye rejection capabilities. This study offers fresh perspectives on optimizing OSN membrane performance for specific solvent-solute systems, highlighting its significance in advancing high-performance membrane technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123964"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143628067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Han Zhu , Zinan Zhang , Yuxin He, Xizheng Chen, Qiang Ma, Hua Jin, Yanshuo Li
{"title":"Tailored design of mixed-linker MOF membranes for enhanced gas separation","authors":"Han Zhu , Zinan Zhang , Yuxin He, Xizheng Chen, Qiang Ma, Hua Jin, Yanshuo Li","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123968","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123968","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metal-organic framework (MOF) with narrow molecular-sized channels are attractive membrane materials for molecular-sieving gas separation. One of the greatest challenges currently facing MOF membranes is the development of appropriate membranes for specific mixture separation considering the matching of pore sizes. Postsynthetic linker exchange modification for precise control of the pore size could resolve this difficulty and endow MOF membranes with enhanced gas separation property. Herein, an economical and environment-friendly vapor phase linker exchange method is reported to introduce benzimidazole (ZIF-7 linker) and 2-imidazolecarboxaldehyde (ZIF-90 linker) to narrow and enlarge the effective aperture diameter of ZIF-8 framework, respectively. The as-prepared ZIF-8-7 membrane shows extraordinary molecular sieving effect with CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> separation factor of 62, which soars around thirtyfold compared with the parent ZIF-8 membranes. Intriguingly, the mixed-linker ZIF-8-7 membrane suggests extraordinary long-term stability of more than 300 days. The C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub> permeance of the hybrid ZIF-8-90 membrane has been enhanced by more than 10 times, while maintaining C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>/C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub> selectivity of over 30 which exceeds the requirements for commercial applications. The microstructural engineering and performance manipulation in this work has significantly broadened the separation efficiency of MOF membranes in different application scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123968"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143682394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scalable preparation of amphiphobic composite ePTFE/PPS membrane for oily aerosol filtration via spraying and UV curing","authors":"Fangqi Zhou , Hongjia Zhou , Qun Zhou , Ze-Xian Low , Yutang Kang , Shasha Feng , Zhaoxiang Zhong , Weihong Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123965","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123965","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Membranes with amphiphobic properties have shown significant advantages in the filtratimon of oily fumes, yet achieving stable, large-scale production of composite amphiphobic membranes still poses significant challenges. Herein, we present a scalable approach for the development of amphiphobic coatings for creating asymmetrically structured expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/polyphenylene sulfide (ePTFE/PPS) composite membranes. By adopting spray coating and UV curing, the amphiphobic coatings constructed on the ePTFE and PPS sides exhibited contact angles of 149° and 157° for corn oil and hexadecane, respectively. During a 100-h oil mist filtration test, the membrane maintained an oil interception rate above 99.7 %, and the filtration pressure drop decreased by 49 % compared with that of the original membrane. Our scalable manufacturing method creates an amphiphobic design that excels in liquid drainage, making it perfect for oil mist filtration with composite membranes, which is suitable for the industrial fabrication of amphiphobic gas purification membranes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123965"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tiantian Li , Xiangju Song , Yajing Zhang , Wenyuan Liang , Chengli Jiao , Lixue Zhang , Heqing Jiang
{"title":"Tailoring long-range ordered nanochannels in Nafion intercalated GO membrane for improved proton conduction","authors":"Tiantian Li , Xiangju Song , Yajing Zhang , Wenyuan Liang , Chengli Jiao , Lixue Zhang , Heqing Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123946","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123946","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is a key component for hydrogen production from water electrolysis, and the construction of PEM with continuous and controllable proton transport nanochannels is highly desirable. Albeit two-dimensional nanocomposite membrane features continuous transmission paths, maintaining high proton conductivity and membrane structure stability remain challenges. Here, we develop a structurally stable GO/Nafion composite membrane with long-range ordered proton transport channels. The assembled GO nanosheets provide continuous and straight interlaminar nanochannels, and the inserted Nafion ionomer with sulfonate groups is capable of regulating the physical and chemical microenvironments of the interlaminar channels for boosting the proton transfer via expanding the interlaminar spacing and affecting the hydrogen-bonding network. Additionally, glutaraldehyde serves as a cross-linking agent to bond the GO nanosheets for improving the stability of the membranes. The optimal GO/Nafion composite membrane exhibits a proton conductivity of 314 mS cm<sup>−1</sup> at 80 °C and 98% relative humidity. Meanwhile, it obtains a superior structure stability with a slightly decreased proton conductivity after immersion in water for 30 days. Moreover, the GO/Nafion membrane with GO as the main body and expensive Nafion as a modifier significantly decreases the production cost while maintaining a high proton conduction. This study which utilizes the synergistic manipulation of proton transfer channel and its microenvironments provides an effective strategy for fabricating high-performance and low-cost proton exchange membranes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123946"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143637382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thien Tran , Victor A. Kusuma , David P. Hopkinson , Lingxiang Zhu
{"title":"Disentangling the gap between pure and mixed-gas performance of thin film composite membranes through improved cell design and testing methods","authors":"Thien Tran , Victor A. Kusuma , David P. Hopkinson , Lingxiang Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Testing thin film composite (TFC) membrane coupons at low stage-cuts (≤5 %) in a sweep-gas permeation system is a common practice to obtain mixed-gas separation properties for benchmarking performance and making scale-up decisions. However, even under these idealized conditions, mixed-gas permeance and selectivity can be more than 30 % lower than their pure-gas values, partially due to concentration polarization, an effect that typically intensifies with increased membrane permeance. This study investigates the effect of cell design on mixed-gas testing using PolyActive™ TFC membranes with pure-gas CO<sub>2</sub> permeance of 1700–3100 gas permeance unit (GPU), covering the permeance range of most state-of-the-art CO<sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub> separation membranes. We designed and 3D-printed a counter-current permeation cell with enhanced feed and sweep flow efficiency, resulting in a 33–41 % increase in mixed-gas CO<sub>2</sub> permeance compared to traditional permeation cells. Furthermore, we compared sweep-gas and vacuum permeation methods using traditional permeation cells, revealing that the latter delivers 41 % higher mixed-gas CO<sub>2</sub> permeance, because vacuuming effectively minimizes the downstream concentration polarization. These findings highlight the importance of cell design and permeation apparatus selection in lab-scale mixed-gas testing, with strong implications for module design and process optimization at the industrial scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123962"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143637383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lu Qiao , Lechuan Peng , Jia Pang , Caiyan Zhang , Liting Yu , Xiaolei Cui , Lili Fan , Zixi Kang , Daofeng Sun
{"title":"Pre-assembly and post-annealing of ZIF-7-NH2-based mixed matrix membranes for improved interfacial compatibility","authors":"Lu Qiao , Lechuan Peng , Jia Pang , Caiyan Zhang , Liting Yu , Xiaolei Cui , Lili Fan , Zixi Kang , Daofeng Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123967","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been considered the ideal fillers in the mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for sieving hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>), owing to their ordered microporous structures characterized by pore dimensions approximating H<sub>2</sub> dynamic diameter. Nevertheless, enhancing the interfacial compatibility between ZIFs and polymers within MMMs has been an ongoing area of investigation. This study introduces a dual optimization strategy to improve interfacial compatibility via the pre-assembled fillers and post-annealing treatment. On the one hand, the electrostatic pre-assembly promotes the formation of hydrogen bonds between the –COOH groups of carboxylated polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-COOH) and the –NH<sub>2</sub> groups of ZIF-7-NH<sub>2</sub> fillers, while simultaneously establishing π-π interactions with PIM-1, thereby serving as a molecular bridge. On the other hand, the post-annealing process emerges as a crucial step in the reorganization of polymer chains to reduce the non-selective voids by π-π interaction. The optimized MMMs, with a 30 wt% ratio of ZIF-7-NH<sub>2</sub>@PIM-COOH (ZIFPC) fillers and subjected to a 2-h annealing treatment at 300 °C, demonstrate H<sub>2</sub> permeability of 1840 ± 123 barrer and H<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> selectivity of 103.9 ± 5.43. The H<sub>2</sub> permeability and H<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> selectivity performances are 174 % and 981 % higher than those of pristine PIM-1 membranes, surpassing the 2015 upper bound.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"723 ","pages":"Article 123967"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yeongjae Kim , Taehwan Kim , Jongbum Kim , Nahyeon Lee , Seung Hwa Yoo , Hyuk Taek Kwon , Kiwon Eum
{"title":"Tailoring pore flexibility in mixed-ligand ZIF-8 membranes for exceptional propylene/propane selectivity","authors":"Yeongjae Kim , Taehwan Kim , Jongbum Kim , Nahyeon Lee , Seung Hwa Yoo , Hyuk Taek Kwon , Kiwon Eum","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123963","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123963","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mixed-ligand ZIF-8 membranes were synthesized via an <em>in-situ</em> growth strategy to incorporate 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-abIm) into the framework without introducing macroscopic defects. Structural and spectroscopic analyses showed that replacing part of 2-methylimidazole (2-mIm) with 2-abIm maintains the sodalite topology, increases rigidity, and suppresses gate-opening. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms showed progressively diminished gate-opening transitions with increasing 2-abIm content, an observation corroborated by reduced propylene Maxwell–Stefan diffusivities above 14 mol% 2-abIm. Despite these local structural changes, global framework flexibility—such as lattice breathing motions—was retained, thereby maintaining the intrinsic molecular sieving cutoff for smaller gases (e.g., nitrogen and oxygen). In contrast, propane transport became markedly restricted, leading to a sixfold enhancement in propylene/propane selectivity—reaching 246 at 19 mol% 2-abIm. This improved hydrocarbon separation reflects a synergy between reduced ligand rotational freedom and partial preservation of the overall lattice flexibility, outperforming many existing polymeric, carbon-based, and MOF membranes. These findings underscore the promise of rational ligand design in ZIF-8 systems for optimizing pore environments and molecular sieving properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"723 ","pages":"Article 123963"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143592884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Baozeng Sun , Yanchao Zhang , Yiman Gu , Zhanyu Li , Xiaoyu Yu , Wei Fan , Shiyao Sun , Jiayao Yang , Ruonan Zhao , Zhe Wang , Hongzhe Ni
{"title":"Novel π-π stacked poly(aryl-piperidine) anion exchange membranes with excellent stability for fuel cells","authors":"Baozeng Sun , Yanchao Zhang , Yiman Gu , Zhanyu Li , Xiaoyu Yu , Wei Fan , Shiyao Sun , Jiayao Yang , Ruonan Zhao , Zhe Wang , Hongzhe Ni","doi":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123957","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123957","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have attracted much attention due to their advantages of being green, inexpensive and efficient. However, as the key to AEMFCs, anion exchange membranes (AEMs) still face challenges in balancing ionic conductivity and dimensional stability, limiting their application in fuel cells. In response, we report here an AEM strategy based on phenanthrene π-π stacking. The phenanthrene in the polymer backbone drives self-aggregation of cations to widen ionic transport channels, achieving a high ionic conductivity of 136.06 mS cm<sup>−1</sup> and a low swelling ration of 19.37 % at 80 °C. Moreover, the as-prepared AEMs retained 96.2 % conductivity after immersion in 2 M NaOH solution at 80 °C for 1400 h, demonstrating excellent alkali stability. In addition, the developed novel AEM demonstrated a peak power density of 452.88 mW cm<sup>−2</sup> in single fuel cells and a voltage drop of only 3.82 % after 50 h in-situ durability testing, highlighting the significant potential for wider application in fuel cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":368,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Membrane Science","volume":"724 ","pages":"Article 123957"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}