Sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone): synthesis and characterisation |
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Authors: | VV Lakshmi V Choudhary IK Varma |
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Institution: | Centre for Polymer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-16, India |
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Abstract: | The paper describes the sulphonation of commercially available poly(ether ether ketone) PEEK (GATONETM, Gharda Chemicals Limited, India and VICTREX®, ICI Limited, UK) by using concentrated sulphuric acid. The concentration of GATONE in conc. H2SO4 was varied from 4-10% (w/v) whereas in VICTREX® the concentration was 4% (w/v). The temperature was varied from 35-55°C and the duration of reaction was 3-7 h. Structural characterisation of sulphonated polymers was done by elemental analysis, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of elemental analysis, the extent of sulphonation of GATONE was found to be 57-75%. The extent of sulphonation as determined by 1H-NMR in case of GATONE was in the range of 53-80% and for VICTREX 58-87%. Thermal analysis, proton conductivity and water uptake of these samples were also studied. Proton conductivity of the films was comparable to the perflourinated polymer (Nafion). |
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Keywords: | fuel cells membranes poly(ether ether ketone) proton conductivity sulphonation |
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