Work

2‐Vinylpyridine Plasma Polymers as Anion Exchange Membranes in Low Temperature Electrolyzers: Structure‐Property Relationships and Proof of Concept

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT 2‑vinylpyridine (2VP) plasma polymers were deposited by capacitively coupled RF plasma with a pulsed vapor injector and evaluated as anion exchange membranes (AEM) for low‑temperature water electrolysis. XPS and TOF‑SIMS confirmed chemically homogeneous films and successful formation of vinyl pyridinium groups after quaternization. GISAXS, QCM and ellipso‑porometry showed that increasing plasma energy and quaternization enhances film density while limiting water uptake and swelling, suggesting improved mechanical robustness versus commercial ionomers such as Aemion. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed promising ionic conductivity, and the combination with nanometric thickness resulted in a specific resistance one order of magnitude lower than Aemion. A membrane‑electrode assembly using a 2VP plasma polymer AEM reached 1 A·cm −2 at 2 V, demonstrating a highly promising proof of concept.

Source: Plasma Processes and Polymers

DOI: 10.1002/ppap.70241