Synthesis and Solid State NMR Characterization of Anion Exchange Membranes

Green hydrogen is considered one of the key vectors for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate processes. Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (AEM-WE) is emerging as a leading technology to efficiently couple renewable energy sources and produce high-quality, low-cost hydrogen. However, the development of AEMs is still at the research level, and further investigation is required to optimize performance, reduce costs, and increase the lifetime of electrolyzers. This dissertation focuses on the synthesis of new high-performance AEMs starting from commercially available polymers, modified through a small number of simple and efficient chemical transformations. The preparation is coupled with in-depth characterization by Solid State NMR to investigate the molecular-level behavior of both the polymer and the sorbed water.