Side-chain functionalized polystyrenes as membrane materials for alkaline water electrolyzers, fuel cells and flow batteries

Abstract

The present invention relates to side-chain functionalized polymers and copolymers and their use as alkaline anion exchange membrane materials, for example in alkaline water electrolyzers, fuel cells or flow batteries.

Description

Sidechain functionalized polystyrenes as membrane materials for alkaline water electrolyzers, fuel cells and flow batteries INTRODUCTION The present invention relates to side-chain functionalized polymers and copolymers and their use as alkaline anion exchange membrane materials, for example in alkaline water electrolyzers, fuel cells or flow batteries. BACKGROUND In alkaline water electrolysis, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen by applying an electric potential. At the anode, oxygen is produced through the consumption of four equivalents of hydroxide and the release of electrons (oxidation). At the cathode, hydrogen is produced through the uptake of electrons (reduction) and the formation of two equivalents of hydroxide. The opposite / complementary electrochemical process to water electrolysis is the alkaline membrane fuel cell. The following electrode reactions take place in the alkaline membrane fuel cell: Anode: 2 H2+ 4 OH' -> 4 H2O + 4e' Cathode: O2+ 2 H2O + 4 e' 4 4 OH' Overall reaction: 2 H2 + O24 → 2 H2O Maintaining the two half-reactions of electrolysis and fuel cell processes therefore requires hydroxide transport from the cathode to the anode. Anion-conducting polymer membranes (AEMs) fulfill this purpose and are therefore used as alkaline anion exchange membranes. To be used as an electrolyte in alkaline water electrolysis or alkaline fuel cells, such AEMs must be stable under the prevailing aggressive conditions, such as alkaline environment, electrical potential, and nucleophilicity of the hydroxide. Furthermore, the materials used must exhibit high hydroxide conductivity to enable high current densities. STATE OF THE ART Compared to proton-conducting materials, such as those used in water electrolysis or in PEM fuel cells with polymer membranes under acidic conditions, AEMs are less common under alkaline conditions, and there is no standard material, such as Nation, for acidic applications. Commercially available membranes include those based on polyaromatics with ether bridges in the polymer backbone (Fumasep® FAA3 from Fumatech) and quaternary ammonium substituents. Anion exchange groups (D. Henkensmeieret al., Overview: State-of-the Art Commercial Membranes for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis, Journal of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage, 2021, 18. DOI: 10.1115 / 1.4047963; S. Gottesfeld et al., Anion exchange membrane fuel cells: Current status and remaining challenges, Journal of Power Sources, 2018, 375, 170-184). These membranes can be used in reinforced or unreinforced versions, with the ether bond between the aromatics being a particular weak point under alkaline conditions (D. Henkensmeier et al., 2021; Gottesfeld et al., 2018; N. Chen et al., Anion exchange polyelectrolytes for membranes and ionomers, Progress in Polymer Science, 2021, 113, 101345). Furthermore, membranes for alkaline electrolysis based on methylated polybenzimidazole (Aemion™ from lonomr) are available (D. Henkensmeier et al., 2021; AG Wright et al., Hexamethyl-p-terphenyl poly(benzimidazolium): a universal hydroxide-conducting polymer for energy conversion devices, Energy Environ. Sci., 2016, 9, 2130-2142). Membranes made of poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride-co-styrene) are also frequently used. The Sustainion® membrane from Dioxide Materials is commercially available, in which the benzylic chloride group in poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride-co-styrene) is quaternized with 2,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazole (JJ Kaczur et al., Carbon Dioxide and Water Electrolysis Using New Alkaline Stable Anion Membranes, Frontiers in Chemistry, 2018, 6, 263; RB Kutz et al., Sustainion Imidazolium-Functionalized Polymers for Carbon Dioxide Electrolysis, Energy Technol., 2017, 5, 929-936; D. Li et al., Durability of anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 3393-3419; Z. Liu et al., The effect of membrane on an alkaline water electrolyzer, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy). 2017, 42, 29661-29665; Z. Liu et al., CO2 Electrolysis to CO and O2 at High Selectivity, Stability and Efficiency Using Sustainion Membranes, J. Electrochem. Soc., 2018, 165, J3371-J3377; R.IMasel et al., Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers Showing 1 A / cm. 2 at Less Than 2 V, ECS Trans., 2016, 75, 1143-1146; SD Sajjad et al., Tunable-High Performance Sustainion™ Anion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Applications, ECS Trans., 2017, 77, 1653-1656; DA Salvatore et al., Designing anion exchange membranes for CO2 electrolysers, Nat Energy, 2021, 6, 339-348). Aryl ether linkages in the polymer backbone (e.g., Fumasep® FAA3) are particularly detrimental to long-life membranes because they can be directly attacked by hydroxide ions via nucleophilic substitution. This inevitably leads to a significant reduction in molecular weight and thus not only to lower conductivity but also to a loss of mechanical integrity (AD Mohanty et al., Systematic Alkaline Stability Study of Polymer Backbones for Anion Exchange Membrane Applications, Macromolecules, 2016, 49, 3361-3372). Polybenzimidazoles are generally known to be chemically very stable, although the degradation of such membranes can occur through nucleophilic attack of the hydroxide on the imidazole ring, leading to ring opening (D. Henkensmeier et al., Polybenzimidazolium hydroxides - Structure, stability and degradation, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2012, 97, 264-272). Industrially, attempts are made to counteract this degradation mechanism by increasing the electron density at the imidazole unit and sterically shielding the imidazole unit (Wright et al., 2016). Although Sustainion® achieved better performance in alkaline water electrolysis compared to other materials, the low alkaline stability of benzylic ammonium groups and the inherent brittleness of polystyrene represent a disadvantage of this membrane (TH Pham et al., Aromatic Polymers Incorporating Bis-N-spirocyclic Quaternary Ammonium Moieties for Anion-Exchange Membranes, ACS Macro Lett., 2015, 4, 1370-1375; MR Hibbs, Alkaline stability of poly(phenylene)-based anion exchange membranes with various cations, J. Polym. Sei. Part B: Polym. Phys., 2013, 51, 1736-1742; Y.-K. Choe et al., Alkaline Stability of Benzyl Trimethyl Ammonium Functionalized Polyaromatics: A Computational and Experimental Study, Chem. Mater, 2014, 26, 5675- 5682; Chen et al, 2021). It is known from the literature that the separation of the anion exchange group (usually a quaternary ammonium group) from the polymer backbone increases the conductivity through the resulting micro / nanophase separation (CG Arges et al., Perpendicularly Aligned, Anion Conducting Nanochannels in Block Copolymer Electrolyte Films, Chem. Mater, 2016, 28, 1377-1389; H.-S. Dang et al., Exploring Different Cationic Alkyl Side Chain Designs for Enhanced Alkaline Stability and Hydroxide Ion Conductivity of Anion-Exchange Membranes, Macromolecules, 2015, 48, 5742-5751; H.-S. Dang et al., Anion-exchange membranes with polycationic alkyl side chains attached via spacer units, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 17138-). 17153; YA Elabd and MA Hickner, Block Copolymers for Fuel Cells, Macromolecules, 2011, 44, 1-11; L. Liu et al., Tuning the properties of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) anion exchange membranes and their performance in H 2 / 0 2 fuel cells, Energy Environ. Be., 2018, 11 , 435-446; S. Miyanishi et al., Highly conductive mechanically robust high Mw polyfluorene anion exchange membrane for alkaline fuel cell and water electrolysis application, Polym. Chem., 2020, 11, 3812-3820; J. Pan, C. Chen, Y. Li, L. Wang, L. Tan, G. Li, X. Tang, L. Xiao, J. Lu and L. Zhuang, Constructing ionic highway in alkaline polymer electrolytes, Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 354-360; XQ Wang et al., Alkali-stable partially fluorinated poly(arylene ether) anion exchange membranes with a claw-type head for fuel cells, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 12455-12465). Furthermore, polymers with side-chain separated anion exchange groups exhibit increased alkaline stability and better cycle stability in alkaline fuel cells and / or electrolysis. For example, Sustainion (poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride-co-styrene) quaternized with 2,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazole) is a membrane type with fundamentally Suitable properties for alkaline electrolysis or alkaline fuel cells. However, this polymer class has the inherent disadvantage of labile benzylic ammonium groups. Wu et al. describe investigations on styrene monomers side-chain functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups and their conversion to polymers. Potential applications in anion exchange membranes or for water electrolysis are not described [H. Wu et al., Synthesis and polymerization of tail-type cationic polymerizable surfactants and hydrophobic counter-anion induced association of polyelectrolytes, Colloid Polym. Sei., 2004, 282, 1365-1373]. CN 111313066 A describes a method for producing an electrolyte membrane based on styrene-based polymers or copolymers functionalized with bromoalkyl side chains, starting from polystyrene, which is then functionalized by Friedel-Craft acylation. In this method, the functionalization takes place in a step downstream of the polymerization. German patent DE 691 19 268 T2 describes cross-linked anion exchange membranes based on functionalized polystyrenes. Brominated alkanestyrenes are polymerized, cross-linked, and finally quaternized with a quaternary ammonium salt. The resulting membranes exhibit increased heat resistance. Potential applications in anion exchange membranes or for water electrolysis are not described. WO 2011 / 125717 A1 discloses a membrane for use in alkaline fuel cells. This membrane copolymerizes styrene monomers with a quaternary ammonium side-chain functionalized group with another cross-linkable monomer. Blend membranes are not described in this document. German patent application DE10 2014 009 170 A1 describes ion exchange membranes for use in electrochemical processes, which are in the form of so-called blend membranes. It describes covalently and / or ionically crosslinked polybenzimidazole (PBI) blend membranes made from halomethylated and optionally sulfonated and / or phosphoned polymers. These blend membranes can be further covalently crosslinked by adding a low- and / or macromolecular crosslinker. The blend membranes described are characterized by the fact that they contain halomethylated polymers, i.e., monomer units functionalized with a Hal-CH2 group. Table 1 of DE10 2014 009 170 A1 also provides an overview of known (non-commercial) AEMs. Table 1: Relevant membranes for use in fuel cells German patent DE 10 2016 007 815 A1 also describes cross-linked anion exchange blend membranes, in which halomethylated polymers, i.e., those with Hal-CH2 group-functionalized monomer units, are used as blend components. It describes how the conversion of the Hal-CH2 groups (Hal = Cl, Br) into an anion exchange group is achieved by reaction with a tertiary amine such as trimethylamine, pyridine, pentamethylguanidine, or an N-alkylated imidazole. Furthermore, it describes how steric shielding of the anion exchange groups of AEMs can significantly improve their alkaline stability, as this hinders the nucleophilic attack of the OH- counterions on the quaternary ammonium group.However, DE 10 2016 007 815 A1 also describes that improving the chemical stability of AEM always depends on the combination of the anion exchange group and the polymer backbone, since the stability of the anion exchange group always depends on the polymer backbone, and it is not easy to predict which polymer backbone will be more stable. Another way to stabilize AEM is through crosslinking. Furthermore, DE 10 2016 007 815 A1 describes that the systematic increase in the hydrophobicity of the AEM ammonium groups, via the increase in the length of the alkyl chains bound to the quaternary ammonium ion from trimethylbenzylammonium via triethylbenzylammonium, tri-n-propylbenzylammonium, tri-n-butylbenzylammonium to tri-n-pentylbenzylammonium, significantly reduces the relative transport number of anions with a large hydration shell such as sulfate or fluoride ions compared to anions with a smaller hydration shell such as chloride or nitrate.Accordingly, the subject of DE 10 2016 007 815 A1 is such blend membranes which contain as blend components a halomethylated polymer quartized with a sterically hindered tertiary nitrogen compound, such as quartized chloromethylated polystyrene or quartized bromomethylated polyphenylene oxide. Furthermore, magnetic field-oriented, stabilized ferrocenium-based anion exchange membranes for fuel cells have already been described (Liu, X. et al., Magnetic-field- oriented mixed-valence-stabilized ferrocenium anion-exchange membranes for fuel cells. Nat Energy 7, 329-339 (2022). https: / / doi.org / 10.1038 / s41560-022-00978-y). TASK The object of the present invention was to provide improved alkaline anion exchange membrane materials that do not exhibit the disadvantages described above. A further aspect of the invention was to provide improved membrane materials with a high degree of functionalization. In particular, an object of the invention was to provide alkaline anion exchange membrane materials that possess high anion conductivity, especially hydroxide and / or chloride conductivity, as well as high chemical, thermal, and / or mechanical stability. In this context, an aspect of the invention was to provide improved membrane materials with the most homogeneous membrane reinforcement possible. A further object of the invention was to provide improved membrane materials that, in particular, The invention aims to provide membrane materials suitable for use as alkaline (anion exchange) membranes or anion-conducting membranes, as electrode materials, as electrolytes, or as ionomers. A further objective of the invention was to provide improved membrane materials for use in electrolysis processes, in water electrolysis processes (such as seawater, brackish water, or demineralized water electrolysis), in electrodialysis, diffusion dialysis, Donnan dialysis, or in fuel cells, as well as in (redox) flow batteries. The inventors of the present invention surprisingly found that by introducing an aliphatic spacer between a quaternary ammonium group [NR3 +] and a polystyrene-based polymer backbone, the aforementioned disadvantages, such as nucleophilic attack, molar mass degradation, loss of conductivity, labile benzylic ammonium groups, loss of mechanical integrity, etc., can be prevented, and alkali stability can be improved. In particular, it was surprisingly found that the introduction of a longer alkyl chain [-(CH2)s-2o-] as a spacer between a quaternary ammonium group [NR3] + ] and the polystyrene-based polymer framework increases the conductivity. This is particularly surprising in light of the statements in DE 10 2016 007 815 A1 regarding the influence of increased hydrophobicity through alkyl chain extensions on the relative transport number of anions. Furthermore, it was surprisingly found that the introduction of such an alkyl spacer produces a softening effect and thus reduces the brittleness of polystyrene frameworks. A further objective of the invention was to provide anion exchange membranes suitable for use in redox flow batteries. For this purpose, it is necessary that the anion exchange membranes are stable over the long term in acidic media, such as in vanadium redox flow batteries, where the electrolyte has a sulfuric acid concentration of up to 4 molar (A. Chromik et al., Stability of acid-excess acid-base blend membranes in all-vanadium redox-flow batteries, Journal of Membrane Science, 2015, 476, 148-155), and also under the influence of the highly oxidizing or reducing vanadium salt electrolytes of different oxidation states (II, III, IV, V). DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The problems of the present invention were surprisingly solved by providing new polymers or copolymers which have quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of the following formula (I) wherein k = 3 to 20 a longer alkyl chain [-(CH2)s-2o-] as a spacer between a quaternary ammonium group [NRs + ] is introduced from an amine base [A1] and the polystyrene of the polymer backbone and wherein Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen, and A1 is an amine base which is a quaternary ammonium group [NRs + ] exhibits, wherein R = identical or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, and wherein n denotes the degree of polymerization. The present invention is described in more detail below and includes in particular the following aspects: [1] Polymer or copolymer containing quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of the following formula (I), where k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3]) + ] with R = identical or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl); and where n denotes the degree of polymerization. [2] Polymer or copolymer according to [1], wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6. [3] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] or [2] wherein the amine base A1 (quaternary ammonium groups NR3 + ) are selected from the group according to the figure below “Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3 + “, which are bound to the -(CH2)-spacer of the monomer unit (I) via a nitrogen atom to form a quaternary ammonium group, and mixtures thereof. [4] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to [3] comprising also identical or different comonomers selected from the group of styrene-based comonomers and / or from the group of vinyl monomers. [5] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to [4] wherein styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group comprising styrene, para-alkylstyrenes, fluorinated styrene, such as mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene, 4-vinylbiphenyl, norbornenes and side-chain vinylferrocenes. [6] Polymer or copolymer according to [4] or [5], wherein (A) Styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group shown in the figure below, “Styrene-based comonomers”, and (B) Vinyl monomers are selected from the group shown in the figure below, “Comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers”. [7] Polymer or copolymer according to [4] to [6], wherein (A) Styrene-based comonomers are selected from styrene, para-alkylstyrenes and 4-vinylbiphenyl, and (B) Vinyl monomers are selected from 9-vinylcarbazole and vinylimidazole. [8] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to [7], wherein the comonomers are selected from hydrophobic comonomers, preferably selected from styrene, n-octylstyrene, mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene, 4-vinylbiphenyl and norbornene derivatives. [9] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to [8], which is linear or branched.

[0010] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to [9], which is statistical, alternating or a block (co)polymer.

[0011] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) containing a quaternized polymer and / or copolymer according to [1] to

[0010] ,

[0012] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] , wherein the quaternized polymer and / or copolymer is characterized by having hydrophobic comonomers.

[0013] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0012] , wherein hydrophobic comonomers are selected from the group according to the figure below, “a) copolymer with styrene / alkylstyrene / arylstyrene comonomers” and b) copolymer with norbornene derivative comonomers”, preferably from styrene, n-octylstyrene and norbornene derivatives.

[0014] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0013] , which also contains at least one chemically inert matrix polymer.

[0015] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0014] , wherein chemically inert matrix polymers are selected from the group shown in the figure below, namely “polybenzimidazole derivatives (PBIs)” and mixtures thereof.

[0016] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0014] or

[0015] , which is in the form of a blend of the quaternized polymers and / or copolymers and the chemically inert matrix polymers.

[0017] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0016] , wherein the blend contains further components selected from the group comprising crosslinking agents, organic and / or inorganic nano- or microparticulate flow agents, fillers, support materials, stabilizers, phase mediators such as block copolymers, catalysts and / or dyes, and mixtures thereof.

[0018] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to

[0010] or water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0017] , which are in the form of particles, granules, powders, etc. or in the form of layers, films, foils or porous constructs / nonwovens.

[0019] Styrene monomer according to the following formula (ll-A) with k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; Y = a leaving group; and excluding monomers of formula (II) with the meaning k = 6 and Y = Br.

[0020] Styrene monomer according to

[0019] , wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6.

[0021] Styrene monomer according to

[0019] or

[0020] , wherein Y is a leaving group selected from halogen, mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates and nonaflates.

[0022] Styrene monomer according to

[0021] , wherein Y is selected from CI, Br, and I, preferably Y is CI or Br, more preferably CI.

[0023] Styrene monomer according to

[0019] to

[0022] , which is 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene:

[0024] Styrene monomer according to the following formula (ll-B) (HB) with k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3]) + ] with R = same or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl).

[0025] Styrene monomer according to

[0024] , wherein the amine base A1 (quaternary ammonium group NR3) + ) is selected from the group according to the figure below “Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3 + “, which via a nitrogen atom forming a The quaternary ammonium group is bound to the -(CH2)-spacer of the monomer unit (11-B).

[0026] Polymer or copolymer containing alkanestyrene monomer units of the following formula (III), with k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and Y = a leaving group; and where n denotes the degree of polymerization.

[0027] polymer or copolymer according to

[0026] , wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6.

[0028] Polymer or copolymer according to

[0026] or

[0027] wherein the leaving group Y is selected from halogen, mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates and nonaflates, preferably from CI, Br, and I, preferably Y is CI or Br, more preferably CI.

[0029] The polymer or copolymer according to

[0026] to

[0028] further comprising identical or different comonomers, which are selected from the group of styrene-based comonomers and / or from the group of vinyl monomers.

[0030] Polymer or copolymer according to

[0029] wherein styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group comprising styrene, para-alkylstyrenes, fluorinated styrene, such as mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene, norbornenes and side-chain vinylferrocenes.

[0031] Polymer or copolymer according to

[0029] or

[0030] , wherein (A) Styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group shown in the figure below, “Styrene-based comonomers”, and (B) Vinyl monomers are selected from the group shown in the figure below, “Comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers”.

[0032] Polymer or copolymer according to

[0029] to

[0031] , wherein (A) Styrene-based comonomers are selected from styrene, para-alkylstyrenes and 4-vinylbiphenyl, and (B) Vinyl monomers are selected from 9-vinylcarbazole and vinylimidazole.

[0033] Polymer or copolymer according to

[0026] to

[0032] , which is linear or branched and / or which is statistical, alternating or a block (co)polymer.

[0034] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to

[0010] or according to

[0026] to

[0033] , which bears further functional groups selected from the group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen (each as defined herein) and bis(cyclopentadienyl) metal complexes.

[0035] Polymer or copolymer according to

[0026] to

[0034] , comprising the alkanestyrene monomer units of formula (III) and also quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of formula (I), where k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3]) + ] with R = identical or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl); and wherein n denotes the degree of polymerization, wherein in such mixed polymers or copolymers the number n of monomer units (I) and the number n of monomer units (III) may be the same or different.

[0036] Polymer or copolymer according to [1] to

[0010] or according to

[0026] to

[0035] , which are chemically cross-linked.

[0037] Use of the quartanized polymers or copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] or the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0017] and

[0018] , as an alkaline (anion exchange) membrane / as an anion-conducting membrane, as Binder material for the production of electrodes or catalyst layers, or as an electrolyte.

[0038] Use of the quaternized polymers or copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] or the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0017] and

[0018] , as an alkaline (anion exchange) membrane / as an anion-conducting membrane, as a binder material for the production of electrodes or catalyst layers or as an electrolyte, in each case in electrolysis processes, electrodialysis, (electro)diffusion dialysis, Donnan dialysis or in fuel cells.

[0039] Use of the quartanized polymers or copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] or the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0017] and

[0018] , as an ionomer.

[0040] Use of the quaternized polymers or copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] or the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0017] and

[0018] in water electrolysis processes, in fuel cells or in (redox) flow batteries.

[0041] Electrodes, catalyst layer materials, fuel cells or flow batteries containing the quaternized polymers or copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] or the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to

[0011] to

[0017] and

[0018] ,

[0042] Method for the production of the polymers / copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] by (A) Polymerization of monomers according to

[0019] to

[0023] and subsequent introduction of amine bases (for the introduction of quaternary ammonium groups) with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y; or (B) Polymerization of quaternized monomers according to

[0024] and

[0025] and / or (C) (Co)-polymerization of monomers according to

[0019] to

[0023] and quaternized monomers according to

[0024] and

[0025] and subsequent introduction of amine bases (to introduce quaternary ammonium groups) with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y.

[0043] Method according to

[0042] , further comprising a copolymerization with comonomers as defined in [4] to [8].

[0044] Method according to

[0042] and

[0043] , wherein the amine bases (quaternary ammonium groups) are selected from those shown in the figure below “Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3 + “and mixtures thereof, wherein the amine bases are bound to the -(CH2)-spacer of the monomer units via a nitrogen atom to form a quaternary ammonium group.

[0045] Method for the preparation of the alkanestyrene monomers of formula (11-A) according to

[0019] to

[0023] by converting the reactants to the alkanestyrene monomer (II-A) wherein k and Q have the meaning according to

[0019] ; X = Br, CI, B(OH)2, CH2CI; and Y1 and Y2 represent the same or different leaving groups, preferably selected from halogen, mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates and nonaflates, preferably halogen, preferably CI or Br, even more preferably CI.

[0046] Process for the preparation of the quaternized alkanestyrene monomers of formula (11-B) according to

[0024] and

[0025] by introducing an amine base (quaternary ammonium group) into monomers of formula (11-A) with quaternization of the alkyl chain and release of the leaving group Y, wherein the process step of quaternization can be carried out following the process according to

[0045] .

[0047] Method according to

[0046] , wherein the amine base (quaternary ammonium group) is selected from the group according to the figure below “Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3 +“and mixtures thereof, wherein the amine bases are bound to the -(CH2)-spacer of the monomer units via a nitrogen atom to form a quaternary ammonium group.

[0048] Method for producing the water-insoluble polymer membrane according to

[0011] to

[0017] , by (A) Copolymerization of the monomers according to

[0024] and

[0025] with hydrophobic comonomers; or (B) Blending the polymers and / or copolymers according to [1] to

[0010] and

[0018] with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, in particular those according to the figure below ‘Polybenzimidazole derivatives (PBIs)’ or mixtures thereof; or (C) Blending the polymers and / or copolymers according to

[0026] to

[0034] or according to

[0035] and

[0036] with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, in particular those according to the figure below “Polybenzimidazole derivatives (PBIs)” or mixtures thereof, as well as with at least one cation exchange polymer and subsequent introduction of amine bases (quaternary ammonium groups) with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As described above, the object of the invention is achieved by the functionalization of styrene monomers with longer-chain quaternized alkanes. I. Polymers or copolymers with quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units The invention relates to novel polymers or copolymers with quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units. The polymers or copolymers according to the invention contain quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of the following formula where k = 3 to 20. Preferred is k > 4, preferred > 4, more preferred > 5, even more preferred > 6. The styrene units according to the invention can be unsubstituted styrene (Q is absent or Q = 0) or substituted styrene derivatives (Q = 1, 2, or 3 identical or different substituents). Possible styrene substituents “Q” can be selected independently from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso, and halogen. The amine base A1 contains a quaternary ammonium group NR3. + into the monomer unit, wherein R comprises identical or different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, and alkenyl. Suitable amine bases (quaternary ammonium groups NR3) +) can be selected from the following group, wherein the invention Polymers / copolymers can be quaternized with the same or different amine bases (quaternary ammonium groups). "Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3" + “ The preferred amine bases are selected from the group comprising N-methylpiperidine, Trimethylamine, quinuclidine, quinuclidinol, 2,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazole and 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole, of which 1-butyl-2-mesityl- 4,5-dimethyl-1 H-imidazole: In this process, the amine bases are bound to the -(CH2)-spacer of the monomer units via a suitable nitrogen atom, forming a quaternary ammonium group. The monomer units (I) shown above form the polymer according to the invention, wherein n denotes the degree of polymerization. For the purposes of the invention, “alkyl”, in particular as a substitute Q and / or R, denotes a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic saturated alkyl group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms (“Ci- alkyl”). From the group of straight-chain or branched saturated alkyl groups, those with 1 to 8 carbon atoms (“Ci-s”) are preferred, those with 1 to 6 carbon atoms (“Ci-e”) are more preferred, and those with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (“C1.4”) are even more preferred, with alkyl chains having 1, 2, or 3 carbon atoms being most preferred.Beispiele hierfür sind Methyl, Ethyl, n-Propyl, i-Propyl, n-Butyl, i- Butyl, sec-Butyl, t-Butyl, n-Pentyl, i-Pentyl, sec-Pentyl, t-Pentyl, 2- Methylbutyl, n-Hexyl, 1- Methylpentyl, 2-Methylpentyl, 3-Methylpentyl, 4-Methylpentyl, 1 -Ethylbutyl, 2-Ethylbutyl, 3- Ethylbutyl, 1 ,1 -Dimethylbutyl, 2,2-Dimethylbutyl, 3,3-Dimethylbutyl, 1-Ethyl-1 -methylpropyl, n-Heptyl, 1 -Methylhexyl, 2-Methylhexyl, 3-Methylhexyl, 4-Methylhexyl, 5-Methylhexyl, 1- Ethylpentyl, 2-Ethylpentyl, 3-Ethylpentyl, 4-Ethyl pentyl, 1 ,1 -Dimethylpentyl, 2,2- Dimethylpentyl, 3,3-Dimethylpentyl, 4,4-Dimethylpentyl, 1 -Propylbutyl, n-Octyl, 1- Methylheptyl, 2-Methylheptyl, 3-Methylheptyl, 4-Methylheptyl, 5-Methylheptyl, 6- Methylheptyl, 1-Ethylhexyl, 2-Ethylhexyl, 3-Ethylhexyl, 4-Ethylhexyl, 5-Ethylhexyl, 1 ,1- Dimethylhexyl, 2,2-Dimethylhexyl, 3,3-Dimethylhexyl, 4,4-Dimethylhexyl, 5,5-Dimethylhexyl, 1 -Propylpentyl, 2-Propylpentyl, etc.Particularly preferred are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, and t-butyl. Ci-Cs alkyls, such as methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl, are more preferred. Ci- and C2-alkyls, such as methyl and ethyl, are even more preferred. Cyclic saturated alkyl groups comprise aliphatic rings with 3 to 8, preferably 5 or 6, ring carbon atoms, such as a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, and a cyclooctyl group. The term "alkenyl" refers to a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain with 2 to 10 carbon atoms ("C2-io-alkenyl") containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Examples include ethenyl, propenyl, decenyl, 2-methylenehexyl, and (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienyl. "C2-6-alkenyl" is preferred. The term "heterocyclyl" includes saturated or unsaturated mono- or bicyclic heterocyclic residues of 4 to 8 members containing 1 to 3, preferably 1 to 2 identical or different heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, including azetidinyl, oxetanyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dioxolanyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, oxathiolanyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thianyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholynyl, dioxanyl, etc. The term "aryl" refers to mono- or bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon residues with 6 to 14 carbon atoms (excluding the carbon atoms of possible aryl substituents), such as phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthrenyl, and anthracenyl. Phenyl is preferred. The term "heteroaryl" refers to heteroaromatic hydrocarbon residues with 4 to 9 ring carbon atoms, which additionally contain 1 to 3 identical or different heteroatoms selected from N, O, S, and P in the ring, thus forming 5- to 12-membered heteroaromatic residues that can be monocyclic or bicyclic. Monocyclic heteroaryl groups preferably include 5- and 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl groups such as pyridyl (pyridinyl), pyridyl N-oxide, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl (thiophenyl), furyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, or isoxazolyl. Examples from the group of 5-membered heteroaryls include thiazolyl, thienyl (thiophenyl), pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, and oxazolyl. Examples from the group of 6-membered heteroaryls include pyridyl (pyridinyl), pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, and phosphabenzyl.Monocyclic heteroaryl groups preferably include Bicyclic heteroaryl groups include, for example, indolizinyl, indolyl, benzo[b]thienyl, benzo[b]furyl, indazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, naphthyridinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl and benzimidazolyl. The terms "alkoxy," "aryloxy," and "heteroaryloxy" each refer to an alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group, as defined above, bonded via an oxygen atom, such as a [-O-alkyl], [-O-aryl], and [-O-heteroaryl] group, respectively. Examples of an alkoxy group include a methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, or isopropoxy group. Examples of an aryloxy group include a phenoxy group. "Halogen" or "halogen atom" means a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom, in particular a fluorine, chlorine, or bromine atom, with chlorine and bromine being particularly preferred. Chlorine is most particularly preferred. The term “nitro” or “nitro group” refers to the functional NO2 group that is bonded via the nitrogen atom [-NO2]. The term “nitroso” or “nitroso group” refers to the functional nitroso group -N=O, which is bonded via the nitrogen atom [-N=O]. The indices n and m used in the representation of monomer units, polymers, and copolymers denote the degree of polymerization. In a polymer / copolymer, the respective indices can represent the same or different integer values. In principle, the polymers described here can be composed of the monomer units (I) shown above and thus form homopolymers. It is also possible, and preferably according to the invention, to form copolymers with 1 to 99 mol% identical or different comonomers. It should be noted for clarification that such comonomers have a structure different from that of the monomer units (I). Comonomers for the formation of the polymers or copolymers according to the invention are preferably selected from the group of styrene-based monomers and / or from the group of vinyl monomers. Examples of possible styrene-based comonomers include “Styrene-based comonomers” Examples of possible comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers include Preferred styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group comprising styrene, para-alkylstyrenes, fluorinated styrene, such as mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene, of which pentafluorostyrene is particularly preferred, and norbornenes as well as side-chain vinylferrocenes. Particularly preferred styrene-based comonomers are selected from styrene, para-alkylstyrenes and 4-vinylbiphenyl. Particularly preferred comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers are selected from 9-vinylcarbazole and vinylimidazole. In a further aspect of the invention, hydrophobic comonomers are preferably selected, such as, most preferably, styrene, n-octylstyrene, mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene, 4-vinylbiphenyl, and norbonene derivatives. The copolymers formed therefrom can be represented by the following structure: k, A1 and Q = as defined herein R* = H, alkyl or aryl (as defined above). m and n denote the degree of polymerization and can be the same or different. a) Copolymer with styrene / alkylstyrene / arylstyrene comonomers b) Copolymer with norbornene derivative comonomers The aforementioned pentafluorostyrene-styrene comonomers, which are particularly preferred, can be synthetically functionalized and / or functionalized after copolymerization. These are especially suitable for the production of the copolymers according to the invention, as they can reduce the water absorption of the polymers. This is also possible with other fluorine-containing styrene comonomers, such as mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrafluorostyrene (as shown in the figure above, "styrene-based comonomers"). The usability of the styrene-based comonomers described herein, as well as comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers, such as vinylimidazole or 9-vinylcarbazole, in copolymerization with the monomers according to the invention described herein, enables a high degree of synthetic flexibility in the production of new functional materials characterized by the monomer units according to the invention. The polymers or copolymers according to the invention can be linear or branched. The polymers or copolymers according to the invention can be statistical, alternating, or block (co)polymers. Statistical copolymers are preferred. Where polymers / copolymers described herein are identified by an abbreviation or structural symbol “co”, this generally refers to a copolymer which can be a statistical, alternating, or block (co)polymer. Surprisingly, it was found that the copolymers obtained by statistical copolymerization of the styrene monomers according to the invention (described in more detail below) with styrene-based comonomers already exhibited high conductivity and good mechanical stability in pure form and are therefore directly suitable as anion exchange membranes and can be used accordingly. Furthermore, it was surprisingly found that the mechanical stability of the polymer membranes could be significantly increased by using di- and / or trivinyl comonomers, such as divinylbenzene, trivinylcyclohexane, diisopropenylbenzene (according to the figures above, “styrene-based comonomers” or “comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers”). Particularly preferred polymers / copolymers according to the invention are selected from the group comprising: The quaternized polymers I copolymers according to the invention are also referred to as anion exchange polymers. The polymers / copolymers (I) according to the invention may bear further functional groups, such as those selected from the group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen (each as defined above) and bis(cyclopentadienyl) metal complexes. The polymers / copolymers (I) according to the invention can also be chemically cross-linked. For example, by diamines such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, / V, / V, / V( / V-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, / V, / V, / V( / V-tetramethyl-1,4-butanediamine, / V, / V, / V( / V-Tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine, bis-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]ether. II. AEM Polymer Membrane As described above, the polymers / copolymers according to the invention, with quaternized alkanostyrene monomer units, are suitable as alkaline anion exchange membrane materials due to their advantageous properties. For use as a membrane, it is necessary that the polymers / copolymers described above are water-insoluble (hydrophobic) or can be converted into a water-insoluble (hydrophobic) form. This can be achieved by selectively choosing hydrophobic comonomers for the production of copolymers of the monomer units (I) described above according to the invention, such as styrene, n-octylstyrene, 4-vinylbiphenyl, or norbornene derivatives (S. Chowdhury et al., Copolymerization of Norbornene and Styrene with Anilinonaphthoquinone-Ligated Nickel Complexes, Polymers, 2019, 11. DOI: 10.3390 / polym11071100; Liu et al., 2018). In addition, a variety of other comonomers, for example from the group of vinyl monomers described above, are suitable for copolymerization with the monomer units (I) according to the invention, such as the groups shown above. As already described above, monomers according to the invention copolymerized with hydrophobic comonomers can also be used directly, i.e., in their pure form, as alkaline anion exchange membranes. In another aspect of the invention, additional reinforcements are made to the quaternized polymers / copolymers or AEMs according to the invention. Possible enhancements include, for example, modifications of the quaternized polymers / copolymers or AEMs by a) blending with chemically inert matrix polymers, b) covalent cross-linking of the polymers according to the invention with cross-linking reagents, c) cross-linking by non-covalent interactions, including ionic interactions, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bond interactions and van der Waals interactions with a physicochemical reactant, and d) enhancement by the addition of chemically inert particles, fibers or braids. Combinations of the aforementioned reinforcement measures are also possible. Reinforcement measures according to the aforementioned option a) are particularly preferred and represent a specific aspect of the aforementioned invention. In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the quaternized polymers / copolymers according to the invention are converted into a hydrophobic form by blending (mixing) with a stable or inert matrix polymer, thereby obtaining alkaline anion exchange membranes in the form of so-called blended membranes. The quaternized polymers / copolymers according to the invention surprisingly exhibited excellent miscibility with polybenzimidazole derivatives (PBIs), which are therefore well suited as stable, inert matrix polymers. Examples of matrix polymers from the PBI group include, for example, those from the following group: “Polybenzimidazole derivatives (PBIs)” Other N-basic polymers, such as polymers with pyridine units, are also suitable as matrix polymers. Surprisingly, it was found that in such a blended membrane, even water-soluble polymers / copolymers become sufficiently water-insoluble or hydrophobic to be suitable as AEMs simply by blending (mixing) with suitable matrix polymers as described above. It is assumed that this is based on a similar principle to the so-called snake-cage polymers (also known as the "snake-in-the-cage" principle), as described, for example, in DE2338755A1. The invention therefore also relates to novel alkaline anion exchange membranes (AEM polymer membranes) which contain the polymers or copolymers with quartanized alkantstyrene monomer units according to the preceding first aspect of the invention. Such AEMs according to the invention are in particular water-insoluble polymer membranes (AEMs) containing the quartanized polymers and / or copolymers according to the invention. In accordance with the present invention, a polymer / copolymer is considered to be water-insoluble if the polymer / copolymer absorbs less than 400% water by weight, based on its own weight (dry weight of the polymer). The water-insoluble polymer membranes (AEM) according to the invention are thus characterized either by the fact that they comprise quaternized copolymers according to the invention with hydrophobic comonomers, for example those from the group consisting of styrene, n-octylstyrene, 4-vinylbiphenyl and norbornene derivatives, and / or that they (especially in the case of hydrophilic / water-soluble polymers / copolymers) are in the form of a blend with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer. Chemically inert matrix polymers for blend membranes according to the invention can be selected from the group of possible PBIs shown above. It is also possible, of course, to select mixtures of the PBIs shown above or of PBIs with other suitable matrix polymers. Such blend membranes represent a particularly preferred aspect of the invention. A particular advantage of such blend membranes is that this type of modification allows for a particularly homogeneous reinforcement due to the production of a physically homogeneous mixture. This has a particularly beneficial effect on stability. In contrast, pure cross-linking generally only results in heterogeneous reinforcement. Hydrophobic polymer membranes (AEMs) according to the invention, which are in the form of blended membranes, can also contain further components in the blend. Possible examples of further blend components include crosslinking agents, organic and / or Inorganic nano- or microparticulate flow agents, fillers, carrier materials, stabilizers, dyes, phase mediators such as block copolymers, and other suitable excipients and additives. It is possible to add individual components or mixtures from one or more of these groups. The hydrophobic polymer membranes (AEMs) according to the invention, either in the form of water-insoluble polymers / copolymers according to the invention or in the form of blended membranes, can be in the form of powders, particles, granules, etc. (physical mixtures or powder blends) or in the form of (cast) layers, blocks, films, foils or as porous structures or nonwovens. An example of a particularly preferred blending membrane comprises homopolymers of 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide with the structure shown above and poly[2,2'-(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5' bibenzimidazole] (O-PBI) as a matrix polymer. In a further aspect of the invention, the water-insoluble polymer membranes (AEMs) can be reinforced by cross-linking and are then present as cross-linked polymers or copolymers. Cross-linked polymers or copolymers refer to the polymers or copolymers according to the invention in which the linear polymer chains in the polymer backbone are cross-linked to one another by a cross-linking reagent. Cross-linking can occur covalently, but cross-linking effects can also be achieved through ionic interactions, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonds, or van der Waals interactions. Ionic cross-linking effects occur, for example, through attractive interactions between the quartanized ammonium groups and their anionic counterions in the polymer backbone. Another cross-linking effect can also be achieved through charged hydrogen bonds between the quartanized ammonium groups and suitable existing molecular residues, e.g., in norbornene-based comonomer units. Hydrogen bonds can form, for example, between donor hydrogen atoms from chemically inert matrix polymers such as polybenzimidazloene and acceptors according to the invention in the form of oxygens from polyether chains.Dipole-dipole interactions occur between all polar components, and van der Waals interactions occur between all species introduced into the membrane. The quaternized polymers / copolymers and / or the water-insoluble polymer membranes according to the invention are characterized by at least one, preferably by a combination of at least two, of the properties described below. Ion exchange capacity (IEC) For use as an anion exchange membrane, a high ion exchange capacity (IEC) is crucial. According to the invention, an IEC of 0.5 to 3.5 mmol / g, preferably 1.0 to 3.0 mmol / g, and more preferably 2.0 to 2.5 mmol / g, can be obtained. The determination of the ion exchange capacity is preferably carried out by determining the chloride or bromide content using Mohr titration. Anion conductivity High anion conductivity is also important for the applications according to the invention as an AEM. The quaternized polymers / copolymers or hydrophobic anion exchange polymer membranes according to the invention are characterized by a high hydroxide conductivity. According to the invention, this conductivity is preferably in the range of at least 2–250 mS / cm, within a temperature range of 20°C to 100°C. A hydroxide conductivity of at least 50 mS / cm, or even at least 100 mS / cm, is preferred. According to the invention, the chloride conductivity is preferably in the range of at least 2–100 mS / cm. A chloride conductivity of at least 10 mS / cm, preferably at least 50 mS / cm, and even more preferably at least 75 mS / cm is particularly advantageous. Hydroxide and chloride conductivity is preferably determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, as described in more detail in the example section. Preferred copolymers according to the invention, such as those shown above Structures a) and b) from k, A1 and Q = as defined herein R* = H, alkyl or aryl (as defined above). m and n denote the degree of polymerization and can be the same or different, or those according to the following structure. For example, they exhibit an ion exchange capacity of 1.80 mmol / g and showed a chloride conductivity between 13.4 and 52.0 mS / cm at room temperature and membrane thicknesses between 40 and 80 pm. Preferred blend membranes according to the invention made of homopolymers of 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide with the structure shown above (thickness 20 to 60 pm) with poly[2,2'-(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5'-bibenzimidazole] (O-PBI) (IEC 2.00-2.40 mmol / g) exhibited conductivities between 2.3 and 20.8 mS / cm (depending on the IEC) in chloride form. Under alkaline electrolysis conditions (1 M KOH as electrolyte, 70 °C), the conductivity is correspondingly higher. stability For use in alkaline electrolysis and as alkaline fuel cells, etc., high stability of the polymers is also required. Stability refers, on the one hand, to thermal stability, which can be determined by thermogravimetry (TGA). The decomposition point is usually defined as the temperature at which 5% by weight of the original mass has been lost. The polymers and copolymers according to the invention showed decomposition points between 250 °C and 400 °C, which means they can be considered thermally stable enough for the processes described above. The mechanical stability of the polymers according to the invention can be determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) by measurement in a humidity chamber. The alkali stability (or OH' stability) can be determined by immersing the membrane in an alkali (e.g., 1 M KOH) under controlled temperature (e.g., 90°C) for a predetermined period and examining the changes over time, for example, the TGA curves, IEC, conductivity, or by means of NMR spectroscopy. III. Manufacturing process The quaternized alkanestyrene polymers or copolymers according to the invention can be obtained by targeted functionalization of styrene monomers with alkanes having a suitable leaving group (“Y”) and quaternization of the alkane chain by exchanging the leaving group Y for an amine base to introduce a quaternary ammonium group. Using standard styrene polymerization protocols, styrene monomers can first be converted into precursor polymers, which are then transformed into anion-exchange polymers via a quaternization reaction with amine bases (e.g., Menschutkin reaction). Possible variants of styrene polymerization include free radical polymerization (including emulsion and suspension polymerization), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), and metal-locene-catalyzed polymerization. For example, the production of precursor copolymers from a styrene with an alkyl side chain carrying a halogen as a leaving group Y, and a norbornene is possible analogously to the study by Chowdhury et al., 2019, which describes the production of copolymers from styrene and norbornene with a nickel catalyst. The synthesis of the quaternized polymers / copolymers according to the invention with the alkanestyrene monomer units can be described as follows: Step 1 - Preparation of the Y-substituted starting monomers: Styrene derivatives containing an alkyl chain [-(CH2)kY] substituted with a leaving group Y can be used as starting monomers. Such starting monomers can be represented by the formula (ll-A): where k = 3 to 20 means and Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen (each as defined above), and Y represents the departing group. Suitable leaving groups “Y” include halogens such as F, CI, Br, I, or mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates, and nonaflates. Preferred leaving groups are selected from the group comprising CI and Br, with CI being particularly preferred. These starting monomers (II-A) can be prepared, for example, by reacting a styrene compound with a functional group, such as a halogen, boronic acid, or a chloromethyl group, with a bifunctional compound in a coupling reaction. Possible bifunctional compounds include, for example, those from the dihaloalkane group, such as dibromoalkanes, diiodalkanes, and mixed dihaloalkanes like alpha- and omega-chlorobromoalkanes, chloroiodalkanes, and bromoiodalkanes, or tosylated, mesylated, or triflate-modified alcohols. The formation of such starting monomers (II-A), which have the leaving-group-modified alkyl spacer, from functionalized styrene and a bifunctional compound is schematically illustrated in the following diagram: (HA) wherein X means halogen (such as Br, Cl), B(OH)2, CH2CI; Y1 and Y2 represent the same or different leaving groups as defined herein; Y represents a departure group as defined herein; k = 3 - 20 means and Q represents the styrene substituent as defined herein. The coupling of the styrene compound with the bifunctional compound preferably proceeds via a transition metal-catalyzed coupling reaction, with possible catalysts including Cu, Ni, Pd, and Pt. Suitable catalysts are generally known. Cuprates such as U₂CUCI₂, LiCuBr₂, and U₂CUCI₄, or palladium complexes such as [Pd(PPhs)₃], or nickel complexes such as NiCl₂-1,T-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene are preferred. Depending on the coupling reaction used, conversion of the Y-alkyl-substituted styrene into the corresponding Grignard compound may be necessary, for example in cases where Y = halogen. In this way, for example, the preferred monomer according to the invention 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene can also be produced. Following the conversion of the Y-alkyl-substituted styrene into a Grignard reagent, the coupling reaction with the bifunctional compound is carried out under catalysis with the catalysts described above. The monomer building blocks (11-A) thus obtained can, in a further step, either be converted to the preferred polymers according to the invention, with quartanization then taking place after the polymerization. Alternatively, the monomer building blocks (11-A) can be quartanized to the preferred monomers (11-B) according to the invention, with polymerization then taking place after the quartanization. Step 2 (Variant a) - Preparation of quaternized polymers (I) via quaternized oxidizing monomers (II-B) In a first variant (a), the monomers (11-A) can first be converted into quaternized monomers (11-B). Such quaternized starting monomers can be represented by the formula (11-B): (HB) where k = 3 to 20 means and Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen, and A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3]) + ] with R = same or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, as defined above). These quaternized monomers are then polymerized to form the quaternized polymers (I) according to the invention. The process steps of variant 2-a are described below: (HA) (HB) (I) (where Q, Y, A1, k and n have the meanings described herein and I* is a radical starter). To convert the leaving group Y, which is bound to the introduced alkyl spacer [-(CH2)k-], into a quaternary ammonium group before polymerization, a Menschutkin reaction can be carried out. Tertiary N-basic compounds (amine bases) such as, preferably, N-methylpiperidine, trimethylamine, quinuclidine or quinuclidinol, or 2,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazole, or 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole as the amine base (quaternary ammonium group) are particularly suitable for this purpose. Step 2 (Variant b) - Production of quaternized polymers (I) by downstream polymer garternization In a second variant (b) the Y-functionalized monomers (11-A) are first polymerized, for example by means of radical polymerization, and the Y-substituted polymers thus obtained, here also referred to as precursor polymers (III), are subsequently quaternized at the alkyl chains by introduction of amine bases (to introduce quaternary ammonium groups) and release of the leaving groups Y, as shown below: (where Q, Y, A1, k and n have the meanings described herein and I* is a radical starter). Step 2 (Variant c) - Production of quaternized polymers (I) by downstream polymer garternization In a third variant (c) of step 2, a mixture of the monomers (11-A) and (11-B) can also be polymerized as described above, resulting in so-called mixed Precursor polymers or precursor copolymers with Y-functionalized alkanestyrene monomer units and quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units are formed. In these mixed precursor polymers, a subsequent quaternization of the still Y-functionalized alkyl chains occurs through the introduction of amine bases (to introduce quaternary ammonium groups) and the release of the remaining leaving groups Y, analogous to variant b described above. For the polymerizations described above, free radical or controlled radical (ATRP, RAFT, NMP) polymerization variants or protocols are preferably used. A RAFT polymerization of the monomers according to the invention can be illustrated as follows: (where Q, Y, k and n have the meanings described herein, I* represents a radical initiator, x = 0 or 1, R' represents the respective residues of the comonomers described herein based on styrene-based comonomers and vinyl monomers, and R* and Z have the meanings given above). In principle, there are no restrictions on the selection of tertiary N-bases for quaternization. Limitations and the amine bases (quaternary ammonium groups -NRs) defined herein may be restricted. + ) can be used. It is also possible to use mixtures of different tertiary N-basic compounds (amine bases / quaternary to use ammonium groups) for quaternization. The polymerization of the monomers takes place in a suitable solvent. Examples include toluene, DMF, DMAc, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, chlorobenzene, benzene, THF, DMSO, N-methylpyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof. Known and suitable radical initiators (I*) can be considered, such as azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, 2,2'-azobis-(2-methyl-propionamidine)-dihydrochloride, 1, 1 '-Azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile), 4,4'-azobis-(4-cyanovaleric acid), 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile). Alternatively, free radical polymerization can also be carried out in bulk (i.e., without solvents). Polymerization occurs by heating to 30 to 150 °C (depending on initiator and solvent) for 2 to 72 h (depending on solvent, initiator and temperature). Furthermore, polymerizations can also be carried out in a microwave oven. Literature shows that when radical polymerizations are performed in a microwave reactor, the reaction rate can be significantly accelerated compared to conventional methods, leading to a significant cost reduction (Kempe et al., Microwave-Assisted Polymerizations: Recent Status and Future Perspectives, Macromolecules, 2011, 44, 5825-5842). The polymer is isolated by precipitation in a suitable precipitating agent such as MeOH, isopropanol, ethanol, water, hexane, diethyl ether or tert-butyl methyl ether. In principle, the process described herein is suitable for the production of homopolymers in which the monomer building blocks described above are polymerized. It is also possible, and preferred according to the invention, to produce copolymers by polymerizing different monomer building blocks. The copolymerization is carried out analogously to the processes described above with a suitable comonomer as defined herein, by adding a comonomer in addition to the radical initiator, the monomer (II-A) and / or (II-B) according to the invention, and the solvent. The other parameters of the polymerization correspond to the procedure described above. In the case of RAFT polymerization (Reversible Addition-Fragmentation-Chain Transfer Polymerization), a RAFT agent such as 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropanoic acid, 4-cyano-4-[(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)-sulfanyl]-pentanoic acid, 4-cyano-4-(thiobenzoylthio)-pentanoic acid or 4-cyano-4-(phenylcarbonothioylthio)pentanoic acid, N-succinimidyl ester is added in addition to solvent and radical initiator. RAFT can also be carried out in bulk without solvents. The other conditions (such as temperature, time, microwave suitability, etc.) are identical to those for free radical polymerization. RAFT polymerization is particularly suitable for the production of block copolymers (B. Hazer et al., Synthesis of block / graft copolymers based on vinyl benzyl chloride via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)). polymerization using the carboxylic acid functionalized trithiocarbonate, J Polym Res, 2019, 26. DOI: 10.1007 / s10965-019-1763-z.), by adding a second monomer (comonomer) such as styrene or other comonomers defined herein after the polymerization of the first monomer (e.g., the 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene preferred according to the invention) and heating again in a suitable solvent to the respective temperature (B. Hazer et al., 2019). A reverse order of the respective comonomer polymerizations is also possible. Furthermore, a controlled radical polymerization of the monomers according to the invention is possible by means of nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP) (SH Kim et al. Characterization of poly(styrene-b-vinylbenzylphosphonic acid) copolymer by titration and thermal analysis, Macromol. Res., 2007, 15, 587-594), which can be represented as follows: (where Q, Y, k and n have the meanings described herein, I* represents a radical initiator, R' represents the respective residues of the comonomers described herein based on styrene-based comonomers and vinyl monomers, and "alkoxyamine" denotes one of the compounds shown above, which is linked via the -O-NR' 1 R' 2 are bound to a group). In an exemplary polymerization using NMP, the monomer (11-A) 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene according to the invention can be reacted in the presence of a radical initiator (e.g., dibenzoyl peroxide) and in a solvent (e.g., anisole). The radical initiator and the solvent are not strictly necessary. Crucial for the NMP reaction is a stabilized radical such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) or other alkoxyamines that form stable radicals, as illustrated above. The polymerization takes place at temperatures between 80 and 200 °C for 5 to 48 h. Analogous to the RAFT polymerization, the synthesis of block copolymers is possible by adding a comonomer (e.g., styrene or another of the monomers defined herein) after isolating the first block and repeating the reaction. The polymerization protocol described above can be used (Kim et al., 2007). The reverse order of comonomer polymerization can also be carried out. Quaternization / Introduction of the quaternary ammonium group In process variants where precursor polymers with Y-substituted alkyl chains (pure Y-substituted precursor polymers or mixed precursor polymers) are first produced, the introduction of the quaternary ammonium group into the polymer can be achieved, for example, by dissolving the resulting precursor polymer in a suitable solvent, e.g., selected from THF, DMF, DMAc, chloroform, toluene, DMSO, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, and subsequently adding an amine base such as quinuclidine, 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole, or other amine bases as listed above as "Amine Bases - Quaternary Ammonium Groups NF". The quaternization reaction can be carried out at a temperature between 25 and 150 °C and for a reaction time of 1 to 7 days (depending on the base used). It has been found that functionalization levels of nearly 100% are possible. The reaction time of the quaternization can be significantly reduced if the process is carried out in the microwave above the boiling point of the respective solvent. For the quaternization of Y-substituted mixed precursor polymers according to the above-described process variant 2-c, the remaining Y leaving groups in the polymer / copolymer can be crosslinked with a bifunctional amine base (e.g. 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane or N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine or others described herein) (F. Arslan et al., Performance of Quaternized Polybenzimidazole-Cross-Linked Poly(vinyl benzyl chloride) Membranes in HT-PEMFCs, ACS applied materials & interfaces, 2021, 13, 56584-56596). The quaternization of the monomers according to process variant 2-a can be carried out analogously, with ethyl acetate or acetonitrile being particularly suitable as solvents. For the polymerization of quaternized monomers (II-B) according to process variant 2-a, an adjustment of the polymerization conditions is necessary. The quaternized monomer is dissolved in a mixture of solvent and water. A suitable initiator is then added, and the mixture is stirred for 3 to 48 h at 40 to 90 °C. The product can be isolated by freeze-drying after dialysis against water. The process for producing polymers / copolymers according to the invention as described herein can be described by the following features: (A) Polymerization of monomers (11-A) and subsequent introduction of amine bases (to introduce quaternary ammonium groups) with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y; or (B) Polymerization of quaternized monomers (11-B) and / or (C) Polymerization of monomers (I lA) and quaternized monomers (I lB) and subsequent introduction of amine bases (to introduce quaternary ammonium groups) with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y from the monomer units (I lA). The process also preferably includes copolymerization with comonomers as defined herein. In the process according to the invention, the amine bases for introducing the quaternary ammonium groups are preferably selected from those as defined herein, as well as mixtures thereof. IV. Process for the production of AEM polymer membranes As described, the quaternized polymers / copolymers can be used as AEM membranes in the case of hydrophobic comonomers. To produce the AEM described herein in the form of blended membranes, the polymers / copolymers according to the invention are blended with one or more of the inert matrix polymers described above. This can, in principle, be done by known methods for blending such polymers, for example, as described in DE102016007815A1. For example, the polymer and / or copolymer described herein is dissolved in a solvent, for example, selected from DMF, DMAc, DMSO, or NMP, to produce a 10-40 wt% solution. Mixing with the matrix polymer is carried out by adding a 2-10 wt% solution of the matrix polymer in a solvent, for example, selected from DMF, DMAc, DMSO, or NMP, to dissolve the polymers and / or copolymers according to the invention. After homogenization of the mixture of both solutions, it is applied to a membrane (film, layer, etc.).) transferred, for example by applying the mixture of solutions to a suitable surface or support, such as a glass plate, for example by spreading it over a surface, and evaporating the solvent, for example in a convection oven, depending on the solvent, e.g. at temperatures between 80 - 140 °C. The inventive process for producing hydrophobic (AEM) polymer membranes as described herein therefore comprises in particular (A) Copolymerization of the monomers (11-A) and / or (11B) as described herein with hydrophobic comonomers (as described herein); or (B) Blending the polymers and / or copolymers (I) according to the invention with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, in particular such as defined herein or mixtures thereof; or (C) Blending the mixed precursor polymers and / or copolymers (as described herein) with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, in particular such as defined herein or mixtures thereof, and with at least one cation exchange polymer, and subsequent introduction of amine bases (for the introduction of quaternary ammonium groups) with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y from the monomer units (11-A). The cation exchange polymers used in alternative (C) are polymers with a weakly acidic cation exchange group such as the carboxyl group -COOH, a moderately to strongly acidic cation exchange group such as the phosphonic acid group -PO3H2 or the sulfinic acid group -SO2H, or a strongly acidic cation exchange group such as the sulfonic acid group -SO3H or the sulfonimide group -SO2-NH-SO2-R (with R = perfluoroalkyl group such as CF3, C2F5, or pentafluorophenyl CeFs), attached to any organopolymer main chain, preferably those selected from the group comprising sulfonated and / or phosphonated polymers with a perfluoroalkyl main chain or a non-fluorinated or partially fluorinated aromatic polymer main chain (polyaryl ethers, polyaryl thioethers, polyaryl ether ketones, polyaryl ether sulfones, polyaryl sulfones, polyaryl ether phosphine oxides, polyaryl phosphine oxides).These are therefore fundamentally materials which, in contrast to the polymers according to the invention (anion exchange polymers), have a negative charge. Examples include materials such as Nation™, phosphonated poly(pentafluorostyrene) (PWN), or other polymers functionalized with the aforementioned groups. V. Styrene Monomers Insofar as the monomers obtainable by the methods described herein are novel, they are also included within the scope of the invention. In particular, the invention thus comprises styrene monomers which have an alkyl chain functionalized with a leaving group Y, according to the following formula (ll-A) where k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and Y = represent a leaving group, excluding monomers of formula (ll-A) where k = 6 and Y = Br. A bromine leaving group exhibits a different reactivity compared to a chlorine leaving group. The alkyl chlorides preferred according to the invention proved surprisingly advantageous, since when alkyl bromides are used in the radical polymerization reaction according to the invention, the existing radicals can react with the alkyl bromides, leading to undesirable crosslinking reactions that render the resulting crosslinked polymers unusable. This could be avoided by using the preferred alkyl chlorides. Particularly preferred are such styrene monomers (ll-A) wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6. Particularly preferred are such styrene monomers (ll-A) wherein Y is a leaving group selected from halogens such as F, CI, Br, I, or mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates, nonaflates. Y is particularly preferred if it is selected from CI, Br, and I, and even more preferred if it is selected from CI and Br. A particularly preferred styrene monomer according to the invention (11-A) is 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene The invention also comprises quaternized styrene monomers according to the following formula (ll-B) (II-B) where k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [N R3 + ] with R = same or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, each as defined above). Particularly preferred are such styrene monomers (ll-B) wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6. Particularly preferred are styrene monomers (ll-B) wherein the amine base / quaternary ammonium group NRs + The selection is made from the group as defined herein and in particular as above under “Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3”. + “ shown. A particularly preferred quaternized styrene monomer (11-B) according to the invention is VI. Precursor polymers or copolymers with Y-functionalized alkanestyrene monomer units Insofar as the precursor polymers obtainable by the methods described herein are novel, they are also included within the scope of the invention. In particular, the invention comprises precursor polymers having an alkyl chain functionalized with a leaving group Y, according to the following formula (III) where k = 3 to 20; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and Y represents a leaving group, and where n denotes the degree of polymerization. Particularly preferred are such precursor polymers (III) wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6. Particularly preferred are such precursor polymers (III) wherein the leaving group Y is selected from halogen (F, CI, Br, I), mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates, nonaflates; preferably from CI, Br, and I, even more preferably CI and Br. Particularly preferred are precursor polymers (III) which also contain identical or different comonomers selected from the group of styrene-based comonomers and / or from the group of vinyl monomers; preferably, styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group comprising styrene, para-alkylstyrenes, 4-vinylbiphenyl, fluorinated styrene, such as mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene (of which pentafluorostyrene is preferred), and norbornenes. Preferably, styrene-based comonomers and comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers are selected from those defined herein. Particularly preferred styrene-based comonomers are selected from styrene and para-alkylstyrenes and 4-vinylbiphenyl. Particularly preferred comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers are selected from vinylimidazole and 9-vinylcarbazole. Precursor polymers (III) according to the invention can be linear or branched. Precursor polymers (III) according to the invention can be statistical, alternating or block (co-)polymers. The precursor polymers (III) according to the invention can bear further functional groups, such as those selected from the group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen (each as defined above) and bis(cyclopentadienyl) metal complexes. The precursor polymers (III) according to the invention can also be chemically cross-linked. For example, by diamines such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, / V, / V, / V( / V-Tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, / V, / V, / V( / V-Tetramethyl-1,4-butanediamine, / V, / V, / V( / V-Tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine, bis-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]ether. A particularly preferred precursor polymer (III) according to the invention is where m and n denote the degree of polymerization and can be the same or different. VII. Mixed precursor polymers or copolymers with Y-functionalized alkanestyrene monomer units and quaternized alkanestyrene- Monomer units As described, such polymers / copolymers can also be produced using the processes according to the invention, wherein a portion of the introduced alkyl spacers [-(CH2)k-] are quaternized, while another portion of the introduced alkyl spacers [-(CH2)k-] bears a leaving group Y. Such so-called mixed precursor polymers or precursor copolymers thus contain both alkanestyrene monomer units of formula (III) shown above. as well as quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of formula (I), wherein in the monomer units (I) and (III) each independently of each other k can be between 3 and 20, Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; Y = a departure group, and A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3]) +] with R = identical or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl) (each as defined herein) and wherein n denotes the degree of polymerization; wherein in such mixed polymers or copolymers the number n of monomer units (I) and the number n of monomer units (III) may be the same or different. Particularly preferred are such mixed precursor polymers / copolymers wherein k > 4, preferably > 4, more preferably > 5, even more preferably > 6. Particularly preferred are mixed precursor polymers / copolymers wherein the leaving group Y is selected from halogen (F, CI, Br, I), mesylate, triflate, tosylate, fluorosulfonates, nitrates, phosphates, nonaflates; preferably from CI, Br, and I, even more preferred from CI and Br. Particularly preferred are mixed precursor polymers / copolymers wherein the amine base / quaternary ammonium group NRs+ The selection is made from the group as defined herein and in particular as above under “Amine bases - Quaternary ammonium groups NR3”. + “ shown. Particularly preferred are mixed precursor polymers / copolymers which also contain the same or different comonomers selected from the group of styrene-based comonomers and / or from the group of vinyl monomers; preferably, styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group comprising styrene, para-alkylstyrenes, 4-vinylbiphenyl, fluorinated styrene, such as mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and pentafluorostyrene (of which pentafluorostyrene is preferred), norbornenes and side-chain vinylferrocenes. Preferably, styrene-based comonomers and comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers are selected from those defined herein. Particularly preferred styrene-based comonomers are selected from styrene and para-alkylstyrenes, as well as 4-vinylbiphenyl. Particularly preferred comonomers from the group of vinyl monomers are selected from vinylimidazole and 9-vinylcarbazole. The mixed precursor polymers / copolymers according to the invention can be linear or branched. The mixed precursor polymers / copolymers according to the invention can be statistical, alternating or block (co)polymers. The mixed precursor polymers / copolymers according to the invention can bear further functional groups, such as those selected from the group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen (each as defined above) and bis(cyclopentadienyl) metal complexes. The mixed precursor polymers / copolymers according to the invention can also be chemically cross-linked. For example, by diamines such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, / V, / V, / V( / V-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, N,N,N',N-tetramethyl-1,4-butanediamine, N,N,N',N-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine, bis-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl] ether. VIII. Use of the polymers or copolymers and membranes according to the invention Due to their advantageous properties, as described in detail above, the quaternized polymers / copolymers (I) according to the invention, as well as the water-insoluble polymer membranes (AEM) described herein, in particular the blended membranes described herein, are especially well suited as alkaline (anion exchange) membranes or anion-conducting membranes. This also opens up the possibility of using them as binder materials for the production of electrodes or as solid electrolytes, particularly in electrolysis processes, electrodialysis processes, diffusion dialysis processes, such as electrodiffusion dialysis, Donnan dialysis, and water electrolysis processes. Furthermore, the quaternized polymers / copolymers (I) according to the invention and the hydrophobic polymer membranes (AEM) described herein, in particular the blend membranes according to the invention described herein, are particularly suitable for use in fuel cells or in (redox) flow batteries. The invention also includes the use of the quaternized polymers / copolymers (I) according to the invention, as well as the water-insoluble polymer membranes (AEM) described herein, in particular the blended membranes described herein, as binder material for the production of electrodes or catalyst layers, and as ionomers. Another aspect of the invention therefore also concerns electrodes, catalyst layer materials, fuel cells or flow batteries containing the quaternized polymers or copolymers (I) or the water-insoluble polymer membranes (AEM) described herein, such as the blend membranes according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 1 H-NMR spectrum in CDCh of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene (monomer according to the invention (11-A)). Fig. 2a 1 H-NMR spectrum in CDC of a copolymer of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene and styrene (precursor polymer according to the invention (III)) with a proportion of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene of 30 mol% in the feed. Fig. 2b 1 H NMR spectrum of a copolymer of 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene and 4-n-octylstyrene (Poly(4-n-octylstyrene)-co-(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene). Fig. 2c 1 H NMR spectrum of a homopolymer of 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene (Poly(4-(6-bromohexyl)styroQ. Fig. 2d 1H NMR spectrum of a partially quaternized copolymer poly(4-n-octylstyrene)- co-(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene. Fig. 2e 1 H NMR spectrum of a poly(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene quaternized with 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1 H-imidazole. Fig. 3a GPC curve of the copolymer of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene and styrene measured in THF against polystyrene standard Fig. 3b GPC curve of the copolymer poly(4-n-octylstyrene)-co-(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene measured in THF against closely spaced polystyrene standards. Fig. 3c GPC curve of the homopolymer poly(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene measured in THF against closely spaced polystyrene standards. Fig. 4 1 H-NMR spectrum in DMSO-de of a copolymer of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene and styrene, which was reacted with quinuclidine to form the quaternary amine (quaternized copolymer according to the invention (I)). Fig. 5 1H-NMR spectrum in DMSO-de of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene which was quaternized with N-methylpiperidine (quaternized monomer according to the invention (ll-B)). Fig. 6 1 H-NMR spectrum in DMSO-de of 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide (quaternized homopolymer according to the invention (I)). Fig. 7 GPC curve of 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide (quartenized homopolymer according to the invention (I)) measured in 0.1 M LiCI DMSO against PMMA standards. Fig. 8 Water uptake of the blend membranes of a polymer quaternized with 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1 flimidazole as a function of the O-PBI content. Fig. 9 Arrhenius plot of the mixed HCCh / OH conductivity as a function of the inverse temperature at 95% relative humidity under N2 atmosphere for blend membranes made of 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole quaternized poly(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene with different O-PBI contents compared to Aemion as a commercial reference. (b) Hydroxide conductivity during a galvanostatic step at 100 pA at 40 °C and 95% relative humidity for blend membranes made of 1-butyl-2-mesityl-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole quaternized poly(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene with different O-PBI contents. Fig. 10 (a) Illustration of a homogeneous blend membrane with a thickness of 50 pm and representation of the two blend components (b) Chloride conductivity at room temperature and water absorption at 85 °C as a function of the ion exchange capacity (IEC) (c) TGA curve of a blend membrane with a P4HexPipSt content of 65 wt%, which corresponds to an IEC of 1.58 mmol / g, (d) Tensile-strain curve of a blend membrane with an IEC of 2.20 mmol / g at different humidification conditions (0 % RH, 90 % RH, fully hydrated) and different temperatures (25 °C and 70 °C). Fig. 11 (a) Conductivities after treatment of the membranes with 1 M KOH at 85 °C for different time intervals. A blend membrane with an IEC of 2.20 mmol / g was investigated. (b) The stability of the membrane can also be explained, among other things, by the formation of ionic crosslinking sites in alkaline conditions. (c) Comparison of the TGA curves of a blend membrane before and after treatment of a blend membrane with 1 M KOH at 85 °C for 4 weeks. (d) IR spectra of the gaseous degradation products of the marked region of the TGA curve. Fig. 12 (a) Polarization curves and high-frequency resistance (HFR) of a P4HexPipSt / OPBI blend membrane with an IEC of 2.20 mmol / g compared to Aemion+® AF3-HWK9-75-X 75 as a commercially available reference. Measurements were performed at 70 °C in 1 M KOH. (b) Polarization curves after current was applied for 15 h at 1 A / cm². 2 was held. Fig. 13 (a) Cell voltage during the galvanostatic step at 1 A / cm² 2 for P4HexPipSt / OPBI (IEC = 2.20 mmol / g) and Aemion+® (b) The blend membrane after the cell experiment shows no optical changes, only residues of the catalyst on the membrane surface are visible. Fig. 14 (a) Arrhenius plot of the mixed HCOs / OH conductivity as a function of the inverse temperature at 95% relative humidity under N2 atmosphere, (b) Hydroxide conductivity during a galvanostatic step at 100 pA at 40°C and 95% relative humidity. EXAMPLES 1a. Preparation of monomers according to the invention in process step 1 / Preparation of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene: The synthesis of the Y-functionalized monomer (11-A) can be achieved by a cuprate-catalyzed reaction of a styrylgrignard reagent with a dihaloalkane such as 1,6-dibromohexane, where the dihaloalkane is used in fourfold excess to suppress double functionalization (V. Bertini et al., Monomers containing substrate or inhibitor residues for copper amine oxidases and their hydrophilic beaded resins designed for enzyme interaction studies, Tetrahedron, 2004, 60, 11407-11414; S. Alfei et al., Synthesis, Characterization, and Bactericidal Activity of a 4-Ammoniumbutyltyrene-Based Random Copolymer, Polymers, 2021, 13. DOI: 10.3390 / polym13071140). Herein the preparation of the monomers according to the invention (ll-A) is described by way of example using 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene. Styrylgrignard can be prepared, for example, by reacting 4-chlorostyrene (27.718 g, 200.0 mmol, 1000 equivalents) with elemental magnesium (5.154 g, 212.0 mmol, 1060 equivalents) in refluxing THF. For this, the 4-chlorostyrene is dissolved in dry THF (266.7 mL) and slowly added dropwise in a dropping funnel to the magnesium suspended in dry THF (26.7 mL). Initially, only 5% by volume of the 4-chlorostyrene solution is added. The resulting mixture of magnesium, THF, and 4-chlorostyrene is then heated to 64 °C, and the reaction is allowed to begin (bubble formation, browning of the reaction solution). The remaining 4-chlorostyrene solution is then added slowly dropwise over 1 hour. The reaction mixture is then heated for a further 2 hours with reflux. The Grignard solution is then added dropwise to a solution of 1-bromo-6-chlorohexane (399.0 g, 2000 mol, 10.00 equivalents) in THF, cooled to 0 °C.The 1-bromo-6-chlorohexane solution was pre-treated with 24.60 mL of a 0.5 M LiCuBr₂ solution. The LiCuBr₂ solution was prepared by dissolving LiBr (2.606 g, 30.00 mmol) and CuBr (2.152 g, 15.00 mmol) in dry THF (30 mL). The cuprate catalyst was deactivated and masked by the addition of 500 mL of a 0.65 M aqueous NaCN / NH₄Cl (4:25 wt%) solution. The crude product was extracted with three 500 mL diethyl ether reactions, the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvents were removed by rotary evaporation. The target compound (II-A), here 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene, was isolated by two successive purification steps. First, the excess 1-bromo-6-chlorohexane is removed by vacuum distillation (p < 0.001 mbar, Tneiz = 70 °C, Tüampf = 55 °C). The crude product is then further processed by column chromatography and / or vacuum distillation (p < 0.001 mbar).001 mbar, Tneiz = 120 °C, Tüampf = 81-91 °C) purified to obtain analytically pure monomers (ll-A), here 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene. Surprisingly, it was found that when using a mixed haloalkane such as 1-bromo-6-chlorohexane, almost exclusively the bromine atom is substituted, thus making the corresponding 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene readily accessible synthetically. Figure 1 shows the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene after the purification described above. As described above, it was surprisingly found that the chlorine substituent offers the advantage over a bromine substituent that chloroalkanes, unlike bromoalkanes, are less prone to chain transfer reactions in radical polymerizations, which in turn enables the synthesis of uncrosslinked and therefore soluble polymers. 1 b. Preparation of monomers according to the invention according to process step 1 / Preparation of 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene: The synthesis conditions for the preparation of the monomer 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene were applied analogously to the embodiment for the preparation of 4-(6-chlorohexyl)styrene. 2a. Production of polymers / Copolymers according to the invention The conversion of the monomers (11-A) and / or (11-B) according to the invention to polymers according to the process variants a), b) or c) described above is carried out by free radical or controlled (ATRP, RAFT, NMP) radical polymerization. For this purpose, the monomers are dissolved in a suitable solvent (e.g., toluene, DMF, or THF) and 0.01–1 mol% of a radical initiator (e.g., azobisisobutyronitrile) is added. The copolymerization of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene is carried out analogously to the processes described above with a suitable comonomer, as described here using styrene as an example of a comonomer: The preparation of the material shown in Figure 2a is described below as an example. 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene (0.928 g, 4.166 mmol, 0.434 equivalents) and styrene (1.000 g, 1.100 mL, 9.602 mmol, 1.000 equivalents) are dissolved in chlorobenzene (1.503 mL). Azobis(isobutyronitrile) (0.019 g, 0.116 mmol, 0.056 equivalents) is then added. Any oxygen present in the resulting solution is removed by freezing the reaction vessel under an argon atmosphere with liquid nitrogen and evacuating the frozen solution using a rotary vane pump. After thawing, the evacuated reaction vessel is refrozen and evacuated again. These degassing steps are performed at least three times. After the final degassing step, the reaction vessel is sealed under an argon atmosphere and stirred at 65 °C for 24 hours. The polymer is isolated by slowly adding the mixture to 50 mL of methanol. The polymer is cast and separated from the precipitating agent by filtration. After a drying step at 60 °C under vacuum, the precursor polymer is ready for the quaternization step. The Y-alkyl-substituted precursor polymer (III) obtained in this way is shown in Figure 2a with its GPC curve according to Figure 3a. In addition to the radical initiator, the monomer according to the invention, and the solvent, styrene is added as a comonomer (it is also possible in principle to add other comonomers described herein). The further parameters of the copolymerization can be selected analogously to the procedure described above for the polymerization. Surprisingly, it was found that in the free radical copolymerization of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene with styrene, the incorporation ratio of the two monomers into the polymer corresponds exactly to the proportion in the feed, as shown by the 1 H-NMR spectrum of a copolymer with 30 mol% 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene in the feed (Figure 2a) with its GPC spectrum (Figure 3a). A RAFT polymerization as described above was carried out using 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropanoic acid as the RAFT agent, wherein the 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene preferred according to the invention was polymerized with styrene as a comonomer. Solvent, temperature, and time were selected as specified above. For the RAFT polymerization, the RAFT agent 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropanoic acid is used in a 5-10 times molar excess based on the radical initiator. A controlled radical polymerization via nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP) was carried out using, by way of example, the preferably 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene according to the invention, dibenzoyl peroxide as a radical initiator, and anisole as a solvent. 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) was used as the stabilized radical. The polymerization took place at temperatures between 80 and 200 °C for 5 to 48 h. Analogous to RAFT polymerization, the synthesis of block copolymers was carried out by adding styrene as a comonomer (although it is also possible in principle to add other comonomers described herein). After isolating the first block, the polymerization protocol was repeated with the comonomer styrene. Quinuclidine was introduced as an amine base for the quaternization of the precursor polymer shown in Figure 2a in a quaternization reaction at a temperature of 80 °C for a reaction time of 3 days, yielding a quinuclidine-quaternized copolymer of 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene and styrene. For this purpose, the polymer (0.500 g) and quinuclidine (0.412 g) were dissolved in dry THF (7.00 mL) and heated to 80 °C for 3 days. It was found that functionalization levels of approximately 100% are achievable (see Figure 4). The quaternization of the monomers can be carried out analogously, as shown, for example, with the monomer 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene preferred according to the invention, with N-methylpiperidine in ethyl acetate or acetonitrile as solvent (see Figure 5). Specifically, the quaternized monomer shown in Figure 5 was prepared by reacting (6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene (5.000 g, 18.712 mmol, 1.000 equivalents) with N-methylpiperidine (3.395 mL, 28.068 mmol, 1.500 equivalents) in ethyl acetate (15.00 mL). The precipitated quaternized monomer was filtered off and washed several times with ethyl acetate to remove impurities. For the polymerization of the quaternized monomers (step 2, variant a), an adjustment of the polymerization conditions was necessary. The quaternized monomer 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide (1.200 g, 3.275 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of DMF / water (1:1, 2:1, 1:2 volume fractions) to prepare a 50 wt% solution. Azobisisobutyronitrile (5.00 mg, 0.033 mmol, 0.01 equivalents) was then added as an initiator, and the mixture was stirred at 65 °C for 48 h. The product was isolated by freeze-drying after dialysis against water. The 1H NMR spectrum shows all relevant signals that can be attributed to the polymer (see Figure 6). The successful polymerization can also be seen from the GPC curve (see Figure 7). 2b. Production of polymers / copolymers according to the invention from bromo-substituted monomers according to the invention. The 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene prepared according to Example 1b was copolymerized with 4-n-octylstyrene to form poly(4-n-octylstyrene)-co-(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene: In a second approach, 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene was homopolymerized to poly(4-(6-bromohexyl)styrene: The NMR spectra and structural formulas of the homo- and copolymers obtained in this way are shown in Figures 2b and 2c. GPC analyses confirm the formation of the homo or copolymer (Figures 3b and 3c). 3. Production of AEM polymer membranes The quaternized polymers / copolymers can be used as AEM membranes per se, particularly in the case of hydrophobic comonomers. The membranes are prepared by making a 30 wt% solution of the polymers in DMF, DMAc, NMP, or DMSO and spreading it onto a glass plate with a doctor blade. The solvent is then evaporated at 110 °C. After immersion in water, the membrane is removed from the glass plate. The resulting membrane has a thickness of 62 pm and a chloride conductivity of 52 mS / cm, determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M NaCl as the electrolyte. 3.1 Production of partially quaternized copolymers For example, the copolymers according to Example 2b were partially quaternized: the remaining bromine sites were cross-linked with / V, / V, / V\ / V'-tetramethylethylenediamine to increase membrane stability. Figure 2d shows the 1H-NMR spectrum of this partially quaternized copolymer. Copolymers containing between 30 and 60 mol% of 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene were investigated. Furthermore, various degrees of quartanization were examined relative to the 1-(6-bromohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene content in the copolymer, with between 70 and 95 mol% of the bromine moieties being quartanized. The remaining bromine moieties were used for the crosslinking reaction. The following table shows the data for the membranes obtained in this way. 3.2 Production of quaternized homopolymers The homopolymer, the preparation of which is described in Example 2b, was quaternized with a sterically hindered imidazole, which is known for its high alkali stability: The 1The ¹H NMR spectrum of this newly obtained anion exchange polymer is shown in Figure 2e. The signal clearly shows the resonance signal of the aromatic protons in the benzyl ring of the introduced imidazole group and the methyl group of the butyl side chain. 4. Production and characterization of inventive blending membranes To produce blended membranes, the polymers / copolymers according to the invention are blended with inert matrix molecules selected from the polybenzimidazole derivatives shown above by preparing a 10-50 wt% solution of the polymers / copolymers according to the invention in solvents selected from DMSO, DMF, DMAc or NMP and mixing it with a solution of the polybenzimidazole derivatives shown above in solvents selected from DMSO, DMF, DMAc or NMP. 4.1 Production and characterization of blend membranes based on polymerized 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide (P4HexPipSt) The polymer produced according to Example 2a based on 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide (see Figure 6) was used to produce a blend membrane according to the invention. Specifically, 600 mg of the polymer can be obtained by polymerizing 1-methyl-1-(6-(4-vinylphenyl)hexyl)piperidine-1-ium bromide dissolved in 5.288 g of DMSO. After adding 4.300 g of a 5 wt% solution of O-PBI in DMSO, the solution is stirred at 80 °C for 3 h to obtain a homogeneous mixture. Following the addition of another 1.600 g of DMSO, the blended solution is doctored at a gap width of 0.950 mm, and the solvent is evaporated at 110 °C for 24 h. The resulting membrane has a thickness of 42 pm and a chloride conductivity of 20 mS / cm, determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M NaCl as the electrolyte. Figure 10 shows the characterization of such blend membranes made of P4HexPipSt. With increasing content of the novel P4HexPipSt in the polymer mixture, the Water absorption and conductivity are simultaneously affected, with the relationship appearing to be non-linear (Figure 10b). The presence of the positively charged polymer in the polymer blend is evident from the increasing water absorption and conductivity with increasing content of the polymer in the blend. Furthermore, the cationic polymer is identifiable as the first degradation step in the TGA curve (Figure 10c). The mechanical properties of the blend (Figure 10d) vary with ambient conditions, with the modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) decreasing as humidity increases. The Young's modulus drops from 617 MPa at 25 °C and 0% relative humidity to 53 MPa at 70 °C and complete hydration (Figure 10d). This can be explained by the plasticizing effect of the absorbed water, which causes the membranes to become significantly more flexible with increasing water content. 4.2 Stability studies of a blending membrane according to the invention made of poly-4-(hexyl-6-(piperidin-1-ium)-styrenes (P4HexPipSt) In addition to the fundamental physicochemical properties, the stability of the anion exchange blend membranes in strongly alkaline media is also crucial for their use in electrochemical membrane processes such as alkaline membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) or fuel cell (AEMFC). Therefore, the stability of the membranes was investigated by immersing them in 1 M KOH at 85 °C for different durations. Subsequently, the conductivities were determined and the TGA curves before and after immersion were compared (Figure 11a). It was observed that the membranes showed no loss of conductivity even after 6 weeks in 1 M KOH at 85 °C. This observation is supported by the virtually identical TGA curves before and after treatment with 1 M KOH (Figure 11c). Degradation of the cationic group of P4HexPipSt occurs primarily at temperatures above 300 °C. Therefore, identical TGA curves before and after treatment with KOH indicate that no chemical degradation of the cationic head group has taken place. Based on the available data, it can be assumed that the novel blend membranes according to the invention are stable for at least 1000 h. Significantly higher stability can be expected. 4.3 Further examples of the production and characterization of blending membranes according to the invention The polymers obtained according to Examples 3.1 and 3.2 were subsequently blended with different OPBI proportions to obtain mechanically stable blending membranes, which were also investigated with regard to their conductivity. It has been shown that with increasing O-PBI content in the blend membranes, water absorption decreases, which is accompanied by a simultaneous improvement in mechanical properties. This behavior is accompanied by certain properties. Figure 8 illustrates this behavior using the example of a blending membrane based on the polymer according to Example 3.2. At the same time, the hydrophobic O-PBI also reduces the ionic conductivity, which necessitates a targeted adjustment of the O-PBI content to obtain usable material properties for electrochemical applications (Figure 9). Based on the conductivity data from Figure 9, it is evident that the blend membranes with a content of 15 wt% O-PBI exhibit the best conductivities. 5. Application examplesFor testing the membranes, suitable electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis or alkaline fuel cells and a corresponding test setup are required. For example, the membranes produced above are tested in an electrolysis cell consisting of a porous, gold-coated titanium gas diffusion layer at the anode with IrO₂ as a catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (as described above) and a carbon gas diffusion layer with a platinum catalyst supported on carbon for the hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode. The tests include measuring the polarization curve (current-voltage characteristic), the high-frequency resistance, and the composition of the evolved gases.Another particular advantage of the AEM fuel cells according to the present invention is that non-noble metal catalysts such as Ni, Co and Fe can also be used in alkaline electrolysis, which means a significant cost saving. For the application of the AEMs according to the invention in redox flow batteries, it is necessary that the membranes according to the invention are also stable over the long term in acidic media, as is the case, for example, in vanadium redox flow batteries, in which the electrolyte has a sulfuric acid concentration of up to 4 molar. Furthermore, the membranes according to the invention must also be stable under the influence of the highly oxidizing or reducing vanadium salt electrolytes of different oxidation states (II, III, IV, V). 6. Comparative Examples 6.1 Suitability of the polymers for the production of blend membranes In comparison to the polymers / copolymers and AEMs according to the invention, a polymer with a halomethylated monomer unit (k = 1), such as that described in DE102016007815A1, was investigated with regard to its suitability for the production of blend membranes. As a comparison polymer, a polymer according to Example 2a (see also Figure 6) was produced, in which the alkyl spacer had a chain length of k=1 and thus corresponds to a halomethylated group according to the prior art. This halomethylated group was produced as in Example 2 describes quaternization and the resulting quaternized comparison polymer (with a functional group [R3N-CH2-]) is blended with O-PBI as a blend polymer as described in Example 3. It was found that polymers with such a short quaternized alkyl group (k=1) exhibited poor miscibility with the inert matrix polymers (blend polymers). The mixture of solutions of the reference polymer and the blend polymer became cloudy, insoluble gel clumps formed, and even if these could be brought into a reasonably dissolved state with considerable experimental effort (e.g., high temperatures, vigorous stirring, and the application of strong shear forces, etc.), the result was only very brittle and mechanically unstable blend membranes that disintegrated and crumbled under the slightest mechanical stress. Such short-chain quaternized alkyl styrene polymers are therefore not suitable for the production of membranes, especially blended membranes. 6.2 Applicability in alkaline membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) In the next step, the applicability of the blended membranes according to the invention in alkaline membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) was demonstrated. A comparison with a commercially available membrane for this application showed the great potential of the membranes according to the invention. The results of the electrochemical investigations in the AEMWE are shown in Figure 12. The blending membranes according to the invention outperform the commercial reference Aemion+® AF3-HWK9-75-X 75, particularly in the ohmic region of the polarization curves, which can be explained by the lower high-frequency resistance (HFW) of the blending membranes. Especially after maintaining the current at 1 A / cm 2For 15 hours, it becomes clear that the polarization curves of the diaphragm are practically identical to the initial curve, whereas for Aemion+® a significant increase in the HFW and thus a shift of the polarization curve towards higher voltage could be observed. This is evident when examining the voltage profile during constant current at 1 A / cm². 2 clearly (Figure 13) For a blend membrane P4HexPipSt / OPBI according to the invention, the degradation rate under the short galvanostatic step was significantly lower at 0.46 mV / h than for the commercial reference Aemion+®. It is widely known that the degradation rate is highest at the beginning of a cell experiment within the first 150 h and stabilizes with increasing test duration. In the test setup described herein, the same electrodes with Aemion+ as the electrode ionomer were used in each case. It was found that the degradation of the Aemion membrane was higher than that of the membrane according to the invention. In another application possibility according to the invention, the polymer material according to the invention is introduced into the electrodes as an ionomer. It is expected that the degradation of such an arrangement can be further reduced as a result. 1. Determination of hydroxide and chloride conductivity using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy The chloride conductivities of the membranes of the example polymers listed above in the fully hydrated state were measured using a Zahner Elektrik IM6, employing aqueous 1 M NaCl as the electrolyte. For this purpose, the membranes were placed between two commercial Aemion (AF1-HNN8-50-X) membrane fragments. Subsequently, the impedance of the layer consisting of the two Aemion (AF1-HNN8-50-X) membrane fragments was measured in relation to the membranes of the present invention, and the impedance of only the two Aemion (AF1-HNN8-50-X) membrane fragments was measured without the membrane under investigation. The difference between the two impedances then yielded the impedance of the membrane under investigation. Two identical 0.25 cm² gold electrodes were used as electrodes. 2 Electrode area was used. The impedance was measured in a range from 200 kHz to 8 MHz, and the conductivity μ of the membrane under investigation was then calculated using the following formula, where R sprepresents the specific resistance, which is derived from the measured resistance divided by R sp = results. Furthermore, A gives the electrode area (here 0.25 cm²). 2 ) and d the thickness of the membrane: The conductivities specified in Example 3 (Production of AEM polymer membranes) were determined in this way. The hydroxide conductivity was measured using a Scribner MTS 740 membrane test system under a nitrogen atmosphere, whereby the membranes were converted to the hydroxide form by immersion in KOH prior to measurement. Since membranes with hydroxide counterions react with the CO2 in the ambient air to form HCO3, a special procedure is necessary for measuring pure hydroxide conductivity to ensure that the membrane is in its pure hydroxide form. For this purpose, the hydroxide ions are electrochemically generated in situ by a galvanostatic step at 100 pA, and HCO3 reacts to form gaseous CO2, which is released into the ambient air. Measurements are performed under pure N2 to ensure that the reverse reaction does not occur. In the mixed HCOs' / OH' form, the conductivity exhibits Arrhenius behavior as a function of temperature (Figure 14a), which is typical for anion exchange membranes. During the galvanostatic step at 100 pA, the conductivity initially increases sharply and then stabilizes at approximately 55 mS / cm after about 30 h (Figure 14a). This is almost twice the initial value. The measured hydroxide conductivity at the end of the galvanostatic step is similar to that of the commercial reference Aemion AF1-HNN8-50-X (Figure 14b). 8. Summary The preceding experiments demonstrated that the polymers, copolymers, and blend membranes according to the invention could be successfully produced and exhibit improved properties compared to commercially available materials in characterization and application tests. Furthermore, the suitability of the materials described herein for the applications according to the invention was demonstrated.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS [1] Polymer or copolymer containing quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of the following formula (I), wherein k = 3 to 20, preferably k > 4, more preferably > 6; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3 + ] with R = identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl); and where n denotes the degree of polymerization. [2] Polymer or copolymer according to claim [1] further comprising identical or different comonomers selected from the group of styrene-based comonomers and / or from the group of vinyl monomers. [3] Polymer or copolymer according to claim [1] or [2] wherein the amine bases A1 (quaternary ammonium groups NR3+) are selected from the group: and mixtures thereof, wherein the bonding to the -(CH2)k-spacer of the alkanestyrene monomer unit (I) occurs via a nitrogen atom to form a quaternary ammonium group. [4] Polymer or copolymer according to claim [1] to [3] wherein styrene-based comonomers are selected from the group: and / or wherein vinyl monomers are selected from the group: [5] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) containing a quaternized polymer and / or copolymer according to any one of claims [1] to [4], [6] Water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to claim [5], which further contains at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, wherein chemically inert matrix polymers are preferably selected from the group and mixtures thereof, wherein the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) is preferably in the form of a blend of the quaternized polymers and / or copolymers and the chemically inert matrix polymers, and wherein the blend optionally contains further components selected from the group comprising crosslinking agents, organic and / or inorganic nano- or microparticulate flow agents, fillers, carrier materials, stabilizers, phase compatibilizers such as block copolymers, catalysts and / or dyes, and mixtures thereof. [7] Styrene monomer according to the following formula (II-A) with k = 3 to 20, preferably with k > 4, more preferably with k > 6; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; Y = a leaving group; and excluding monomers of formula (II) where k = 6 and Y = Br. [8] Styrene monomer according to claim [7], which is 1-(6-chlorohexyl)-4-vinylbenzene: [9] Styrene monomer according to the following formula (II-B) (HB) with k = 3 to 20; preferably with k > 4, more preferably with k > 6; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3 + ] with R = identical or different substituents from the group hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl). [10] Polymer or copolymer containing alkanestyrene monomer units of the following Formula (III), with k = 3 to 20; preferably with k > 4, more preferably with k > 6; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; and Y = a leaving group; and where n denotes the degree of polymerization. [11] Polymer or copolymer according to claim [10], containing the alkanestyrene monomer units of formula (III) and also quaternized alkanestyrene monomer units of formula (I), with k = 3 to 20; preferably with k > 4, more preferably with k > 6; Q = 0 - 3 identical or different substituents from the group alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, nitro, nitroso and halogen; A1 = an amine base (comprising a quaternary ammonium group [NR3 +] with R = identical or different substituents from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl); and wherein n denotes the degree of polymerization, wherein in such mixed polymers or copolymers the number n of monomer units (I) and the number n of monomer units (III) may be identical or different. [12] Use of the quaternized polymers or copolymers according to one of claims [1] to [4] or of the water-insoluble polymer membrane (AEM) according to claim [5] or [6], as an alkaline (anion exchange) membrane / as an anion-conductive membrane, as a binder material for the production of electrodes or catalyst layers or as an electrolyte or as an ionomer or as a binder material for the production of electrodes or catalyst layers or in electrolysis processes, electrodialysis, (electro-)diffusion dialysis, Donnan dialysis or in fuel cells or in water electrolysis processes, in fuel cells or in (redox) flow batteries. [13] Process for the preparation of the polymers / copolymers according to one of claims [1] to [4] by (A) polymerization of monomers according to claim [7] or [8] and subsequent introduction of amine bases to introduce quaternary ammonium groups with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y; or (B) polymerization of quaternized monomers according to claim [9] and / or (C) (Co)polymerization of monomers according to claim [7] or [8] and quaternized monomers according to claim [9] and subsequent introduction of amine bases to introduce quaternary ammonium groups with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y, [14] A process for the preparation of copolymers according to any one of claims [1] to [4] comprising copolymerization of monomers according to claim [7] to [9] with comonomers as defined in claim [2] or [4], wherein preferably amine bases for introducing quaternary ammonium groups are selected from the group according to claim [3] and mixtures thereof. [15] A process for producing the water-insoluble polymer membrane according to any one of claims [5] to [6], by (A) copolymerizing the monomers according to claim [9] with hydrophobic comonomers; or (B) blending the polymers and / or copolymers according to any one of claims [1] to [4] with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, in particular those as defined in claim [6] or mixtures thereof; or (C) blending the polymers and / or copolymers according to claim [10] or according to claim [11] with at least one chemically inert matrix polymer, in particular those as defined in claim [6] or mixtures thereof, and with at least one cation exchange polymer and subsequent introduction of quaternary ammonium groups with quaternization of the alkyl chains and release of the leaving groups Y.

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