Alkaline fuel cell membranes from xylylene block ionenes

► A new class of random block copolymer anion-exchange membranes has been fabricated. ► The membranes have applications as hydroxyl ion conductors in alkaline fuel cells. ► The fixed-charge groups are in the polymer backbone. ► The OH− ion conductivity of a 2.3 mmol/g IEC membrane at 25 °C was 0.05 S/cm.