THE SCHOOL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

on Tuesday, September 6, 2016

10:00 AM
in Bunger-Henry, Room 388

will be held the

DISSERTATION PROPOSAL DEFENSE

for

Lisha Liu

"Multiblock Copolymer Based Anion Exchange Membranes and Ionomers"

Committee Members:

Dr. Paul A. Kohl, Advisor, CHBE

Dr. Seung Soon Jang, Co-advisor, MSE

Dr. Meilin Liu, MSE

Dr. William J. Koros, CHBE

Dr. Vladimir Tsukruk, MSE

Abstract:

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have been a subject of research as hydroxide conducting polymer electrolytes in electrochemical devices like fuel cells and electrolyzers in recent years due to the alkaline conditions facilitating reaction kinetics and allowing for non-precious metal catalysts, which greatly reduces the cost. AEMs with high ionic conductivity, low water uptake, and excellent chemical and mechanical stabilities are highly desired. Up-to-date work has shown that multiblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes have better properties compared to other membranes.

This work will focus on synthesis and characterization of multiblock copolymer based AEMs and ionomers. First, AEM materials with new structures will be synthesized, including dense local ionic head-groups, multication side chains, various cationic groups, and new backbones. Second, the degradation mechanisms of the conductive cationic groups and polymer backbones will be investigated. Finally, the anion conductive membranes and ionomers will be tested in fuel cells and water electrolyzers.