CytroCell@PIL: a new Citrus nanocellulose-polymeric ionic liquid composite for enhanced anion exchange membrane alkaline water electrolysis

The urgently needed enhancement of alkaline water electrolysis requires to develop anion exchange membranes (AEMs) merging high permselectivity with low resistance to ion transport, capable at the same time to remain stable after prolonged contact with concentrated alkaline solution. We now report that CytroCell@PIL, a matrix membrane obtained by casting and polymerization of a solution of CytroCell micronized cellulose in cyrene and a polymerizable ionic liquid comprised of a sytrene unit functionalized with a triethylphosphonium ion and BF4- as counter ion, shows such required properties. These findings open the route to the development of low cost, large area AEMs chemically stabilized and mechanically reinforced by a small amount of Citrus nanocellulose reproducibly produced in large quantity at ultralow cost from lemon processing waste via hydrodynamic cavitation in water only.