SULFONATION OF A NEW POLYETHERETHERKETONE PREPARED FROM PHENOLPHTHALEIN

A novel polyetheretherketone (PEK-C) prepared from phenolphthalein has been synthesized. In order to improve some of its properties for application in high performance membrane, the PEK-C has been sulfonated with concentrated sulfuric acid. Degree of sulfonation can be regulated by controlling the temmperature and time of sulfonation. The characterization of the sulfonated PEK-C in sodium salt form has been made by IR, ~1H NMR and ~(13)C NMR etc. It is shown that the sulfonation appears to take place exclusively in the ortho position to phenolic ether of phenolphthalein unit. The result is in agreement with theoretical deduction. Some properties of the sulfonated PEK-C, such as solubility, transition temperature, thermal degradation and hydrophilicity have also been discussed.     

PREPARATION OF POLY（ETHYLENEGLYCOL-co-ACRYLIC ACID） MICROSPHERES WITH DIVINYLBENZNE AS CROSSLINKER BY DISTILLATION-PRECIPITATION POLYMERIZATION

Monodisperse poly（poly（ethyleneglycol） methyl ether acrylate-co-acrylic acid） （poly（PEGMA-co-AA）） microspheres were prepared by distillation-precipitation polymerization with divinylbenzene （DVB） as crosslinker with 2,2＇- azobisisobutyronitrile （AIBN） as initiator in neat acetonitrile without stirring. Under various reaction conditions, four distinct morphologies including the sol, microemulsion, microgels and microspheres were formed during the distillation of the solvent from the reaction system. A 2D morphological map was established as a function of crosslinker concentration and the polar monomer AA concentration, in comonomer feed in the transition between the morphology domains. The effect of the covalent crosslinker DVB on the morphology of the polymer network was investigated in detail at AA fraction of 40 vol%. The ratios of acid to ethylene oxide units presenting in the comonomers dramatically affected the polymer-polymer interaction and hence the morphology of the resultant polymer network. The covalent crosslinking by DVB and the hydrogen bonding crosslinking between two acid units as well as between the acid and ethylene oxide unit played key roles in the formation of monodisperse polymer microspheres.     

Covalentely Attached Multilayer Films Comprising Phthalocyanine and Their Photoelectron Conversion Properties

The photosensitive multilayer films from sulfonated metal-free, sulfonated copper-, and sulfonated nickel-phthalocyanines were fabricated with diazoresin layer by layer on a substrate via electrostatic interaction by the self-assembly technique. Under UV irradiation, the linkage nature between the layers of the film is converted from the electrostatic bonding to covalent bonding. The covalently attached multilayer films are very stable towards polar solvents and salt aqueous solutions. The photovoltaic properties of the covalently attached film can be determined by means of a traditional three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell in aqueous solutions with KCI as the supporting electrolyte. The photocurrent determination has shown that the sulfonated copper-containing phthalocyanine films possess a higher photocurrent value than sulfonated metalfree and sulfonated nickel-containing phthaloeyanine films.     

Controlled drug release studies of atenolol using differently sulfonated acryloxyacetophenone and methyl methacrylate copolymer resins as drug carriers

2-Acryloxyacetophenone(AAP) was prepared and subjected to suspension polymerization with methyl methacrylate(MMA) using azobisisobutyronitrile(AIBN) as free radical initiator.The differently sulfonated AAP-MMA cross-linked copolymer cationic exchange resins were prepared by sulfonation with concentrated sulphuric acid at 70 °C.Several characteristics of the prepared resins were evaluated,i.e.FTIR,the ion-exchange capacity(IEC),thermo gravimetric analysis(TGA),particle size distribution and microscopic morphology.The resin characteristics were altered with degree of sulfonation,providing that differently sulfonated resins could be prepared.The behavior of atenolol(ATL) loading and in vitro release in the USP stimulated gastric and intestinal fluids of the obtained resins were evaluated.The drug loaded in the resin increased with increasing degree of sulfonation and hence the drug binding site in resin employed.The drug release was lower from the resins with higher content of sulfonic group due to the increase in the diffusive path depth.The drug release was a little lower in stimulated gastric fluid(SGF) than in stimulated intestinal fluids(SIF).The basic groups,ionized to a little greater extent in SGF and preferred binding with the resin rather than releasing.Hence,the differently sulfonated resins could be utilized as novel carriers for drug delivery.     

Synthesis,UV-curing behavior and surface properties of fluorine-containing vinyl ether polymers

Five fluorine-containing vinyl ether monomers were prepared by the reaction between 2-vinyloxy ethanol, a fluorinated alcohol and hexafluorobenzene in the presence of sodium hydride in dimethylformamide. Two representative properties of these monomers, UV-curing behavior initiated by a cationic photo-initiator PAG 201 and surface free energy of coating films, were investigated. Photo-polymerization proceeded both rapidly and completely with a high double-bond conversion （〉 90%） and a fast curing rate （maximum curing time 〈 21 s） for three monomers. The surface energies of the monomers and the resulting polymer films were then investigated. The minimum surface free energy of the UV-cured homopolymer films reaches 7.1 mJ/m2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data show that the low surthce tension is influenced by fluorine content in the soft segments and fluorinated chains＇ migration to the surface. The five monomers exhibit low viscosity, low surface energy, good thermal stability and good photo-polymerization properties, which make them great candidates for UV coating and photoresist applications.     

PREPARATION OF POLYETHERSULFONE ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES FOR MILK CONCENTRATION AND EFFECTS OF ADDITIVES ON THEIR MORPHOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE

Polyethersulfone membranes were prepared from quaternary systems containing N,N-dimethylacetamide （DMAc） as solvent, polyvinylpyrrolidone （PVP） as constant additive and acetic acid, acetone and water as variable additives. Phase inversion via immersion precipitation was employed for manufacturing of membranes. The prepared films were immersed in the mixture of pure water and 2-propanol （30/70 vol%） as the non-solvent. Acetic acid caused an increment in the flux at high polymer concentration （16 wt%） and a decline in the flux at low polymer concentrations （10 wt% and 13 wt%）. Acetone and water as the solvent in the casting solution declined the flux at any polymer concentration tested. The morphology and performance of the prepared membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and separation experiments using milk as the feed.     

UV radiation induced graft copolymerization of allyl acetate onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films for fuel cell membranes

Ultraviolet（UV）-induced graft copolymerization of allyl acetate（AA） monomer onto polyethylene terephthalate) （PET） films and the subsequent sulfonation on the monomer units in the grafting chain using chlorosulfonic acid（ClSO₃H） were carried out to prepare proton exchange membranes（PEMs） for fuel cells.A maximum grafting value of 12.8%was found for 35 vol%allyl acetate after 3 h radiation time.Optimum concentration of C1SO₃H was selected for the sulfonation reaction to be 0.05 mol/L based on the degree of sulfonation and the tensile strength studies of the membrane.The degree of sulfonation increased as the sulfonation reaction temperature and sulfonation time were increasing.The radiation grafting and the sulfonation have been confirmed by titrimetric and gravimetric analyses as well as FTIR spectroscopy.The maximum ion exchange capacity（IEC） of 0.04125 mmol g^-1 was found at 12.1%degree of sulfonation and the maximum proton conductivity was found to be 0.035 S cm^-1 at 30℃and a relative humidity of 60%.The various physical and chemical properties of the PEMs such as water uptake,mechanical strength,thermal durability and oxidative stability were also studied.To investigate the suitability of the prepared membrane for fuel cell applications,its properties were compared with those of Nafion 117.     

Sulfonated Polyetherimide and Its Membranes

Polyetherimide(PEI) was sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid for the first time. The sulfonated products were characterized by FT-IR, DSC, ion exchange capacity and water sorption measurement. The hydrophilicity of PEI was improved by the sulfonation. The PEI was blended with the sodium salt from of sulfonated PEI(SPEI) to prepare microporous membranes. The morphologies of the membranes were studied with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).     

Hybird Membrane with High Proton Conductivity and Selectivity Based on SPEEK for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Composite membranes based on sulfonated silica/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)(SPEEK) were prepared by means of sol-gel method so as to gain a high conductivity and reasonable methanol permeability.The sulfonated silica is generated in situ via the hydrolysis of sulfonated 3-anminopropyl triethoxysilane(KH550) synthesized newly from 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and 1,4-butane sultone.The membrane with a silica mass fraction of 5% exhibits a conductivity of 0.187 S/cm at 80 °C and a methanol coefficient with 9.72×10-7 cm2/s.The composite membranes show improved condutive ability and better selectivity that can be promisingly used in direct methanol fuel cell.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANSOLUBLE POLYIMIDE AND COPOLYIMIDES FROM ALICYCLIC DIANHYDRIDE

A kind of highly organsoluble polyimide and copolyimides were successfully synthesized from bicyclo（2.2.2）-oct- 7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride （BCDA）, the commercial diamine 4,4＇-methylenedianiline （MDA） and the designed diamine 4,4＇-methylenebis-（2-tert-butylaniline） （MBTBA）. The polyimide from BCDA and MBTBA is highly soluble in conventional low boiling point solvents （such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran） at room temperature. But the solubility of the copolyimides in conventional solvents decreased with the molar ratio of MBTBA and MDA decreased. When the molar ratio of MBTBA and MDA was larger than 7/3, the copolyimides can be soluble in low boiling point solvents at room temperature to form a transparent, flexible, tough film by solution casting. When the molar ratio of MBTBA and MDA was between 7/3 and 1/9, they can only be soluble in hot dipolar aprotic solvents （such as DMF, NMP etc.） and form films too. The copolyimide was only soluble in m-cresol when the molar ratio of MBTBA and MDA was lower than 1/9. The number-average molecular weights of the soluble copolyimides were larger than 5.8 × 1064 g/mol by GPC and their polydispersity indices were higher than 1.4. Only one glass transition temperature of these copolyimides was detected around 400℃ by DMA. The copolyimides did not show appreciable decomposition up to 430℃ in N2.     

Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether) containing tetraphenylmethane moieties for proton‐exchange membrane

A novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether) containing tetraphenylmethane moieties was successfully synthesized by the sulfonation of a designed parent polymer using chlorosulfonic acid as sulfonation agent. The sulfonation took place only at the para position on the pendant phenyl rings because of the specially designed parent polymer. The sulfonation degree can be easily controlled by using different ratios of sulfonation agent to polymer repeating unit. The position and degree of sulfonation were characterized by ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. The sulfonated polymers are highly soluble in common organic solvents, such as dimethylsulfoxide, N,N′‐dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films from solutions. The films showed good thermal and hydrolysis stabilities. Moreover, Fenton's reagent test revealed that the membrane exhibited superior stability to oxidation. The proton conductivities of the films were determined to be equivalent with Nafion® 117 under same conditions. The new polymer with sulfonic acid function on pendent phenyl rings can be potentially used as a proton‐exchange membrane for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6411–6418, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether)s containing triphenylmethane moieties for proton exchange membrane

A series of poly(arylene ether)s containing triphenylmethane moiety were synthesized by the nucleophilic displacement of aromatic dihalides with bisphenols in an aprotic solvent in the presence of excess potassium carbonate. High molecular weight and fibrous polymers in white color can be readily afforded in short reaction time. The structures of the synthesized monomers and polymers were investigated by ¹H NMR and MS techniques. The sulfonation position of the synthesized polymer can be easily controlled and the water-up-take can be conveniently tailored by changing the amount of sulfonation agent. This sulfonated polymer 4b is soluble in polar organic solvents, such as NMP, DMAc, DMSO, DMF, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films from solutions. The sulfonated polymers can be potentially used as the proton-exchange membranes for fuel-cells.     

Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) and Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Based Semi-Interpenetrating Network Membranes for Fuel Cells

Polymer electrolyte membranes are prepared from novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network material where the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) is the linear polymer and the poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is the cross-linking constituent. The semi-IPN is prepared by in situ polymerization of PEGDA in the presence of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone). SPEEK is prepared by direct sulfonation of commercial PEEK (Gatone? 1100) by reported procedures. SPEEK with degree of sulfonation 63% (calculated from FT-NMR) is selected as the base membrane and different semi-IPN membranes were prepared by varying the PEGDA and SPEEK ratio. The degree of sulfonation of SPEEK and the formation of semi-IPN were confirmed by spectroscopy studies. The various semi-IPN membranes were characterized for ion-exchange capacity, water uptake, hydrolytic stability, proton conductivity and thermal stability for evaluating the suitability of these membranes for fuel cells. The proton conductivity of the membranes decreased with increasing PEGDA content. The Semi-IPN membranes exhibited conductivities (30°C) from 0.018 S/cm to 0.006 S/cm. These interpenetrating network membranes showed higher hydrolytic stability than the pure SPEEK membrane. This study shows that semi-IPN membranes based on PEGDA and SPEEK can be viable candidates for electrolyte membranes.     

Polyaromatic ether–ketones and ether–keto–sulfones having various hydrophilic groups

Polyaromatic ether–ketones and polyaromatic ether–keto–sulfones were sulfonated by suspending the polymer powders in dichloroethane containing liquid sulfur tiroxide and trialkyl phosphate at room temperature. It was found that more than one sulfonic group can be introduced per each repeating unit of the polymers without degradation. The sulfonated polymers were soluble in various organic solvents, and solubility and mechanical properties depended on the initial molecular weight of polymers as well as the degrees of sulfonation. Strong films can be cast from their dimethylformamide solutions.     

Sulfonated poly(fluorenyl ether) membranes containing perfluorocyclobutane groups for fuel cell applications

This paper describes the preparation and electrochemical properties of new proton conducting polymer membranes, sulfonated poly(fluorenyl ether) membrane-containing perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) moieties for fuel cell applications. The sulfonated polymers were prepared via thermal cyclodimerization of 9,9-bis(4-trifluorovinyloxyphenyl)fluorene and subsequent post-sulfonation using chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) as a sulfonating agent. The post-sulfonation reaction was carried out by changing the molar ratio of CSA/repeating unit of the polymer at room temperature for 5 h and the resulting sulfonated polymers showed different degrees of sulfonation (DS) and ion exchange capacities (IEC). With the increment of CSA content, the DS, IEC and water uptake of the sulfonated polymer membranes increased. Their proton conductivity was investigated as a function of temperature. The polymer membrane with an IEC value of 1.86 mmol/g showed a water content of 25% similar to Nafion-115's but showed higher proton conductivity than Nafion-115 over the temperature 25–80 °C. The polymer membrane with lower water uptake and higher IEC showed similar proton conductivity and methanol permeability to Nafion-115. These results confirmed that the sulfonated poly(fluorenyl ether)-containing PFCB groups could be a promising material for fuel cell membranes.     

质子交换膜用磺化聚芳醚的合成与性能研究

合成了一种用于质子交换膜的新型磺化聚芳醚. 由于特殊单体结构的设计, 在聚合物主链上引入取代基对主链进行保护, 用氯磺酸直接磺化方法在聚芳醚高分子侧基上引入磺酸功能基, 实现了聚合物磺化结构的可控定位合成, 得到了稳定性较好的磺化聚芳醚. 用溶液浇膜法制备了质子交换膜, 考察了质子交换膜的各种性能. 结果表明, 这种膜具有良好的成膜性, 水解性稳定性和优异热稳定性能, 5%的热失重温度为362.3 ℃. 氧化稳定性在80 ℃的Fenton’s试剂(3%的过氧化氢和2 mg/L的FeSO₄)中进行, 膜在69 min时才开始变碎, 表现出良好的氧化稳定性.     

Proton conductivity of poly(arylene ether ketones) with different sulfonation degrees: Improvement via incorporation of nanodisperse zirconium acid phosphate

The proton conductivity of films based on sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) derived from bisphenol A and 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone of various modification degrees has been studied. The conductivity achieves high levels upon incorporation of a large amount of sulfo groups into the polymer. The conductivity of the samples with low sulfonation degrees may be increased via introduction of the nanodisperse zirconium acid sulfate additive.     

燃料电池质子交换膜用新型磺化聚芳醚酮的合成和性能表征

报道了一种新型磺化聚芳醚酮材料的合成方法, 通过引入取代基对聚芳醚主链进行保护，用氯磺酸直接磺化方法在聚芳醚酮高分子侧基上引入磺酸功能基, 实现了聚合物磺化结构的可控定位合成, 得到了稳定性较好的磺化聚芳醚酮. 通过核磁共振(NMR)、 热重(TG)和凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)等分析方法对其结构及性能进行了表征. 用溶液浇膜法制备了质子交换膜, 考察了膜的各种性能, 并与商用Nafion膜进行了比较, 其导电性、 热稳定性和吸水性远优于Nafion膜, 抗氧化性、抗水解性和机械强度也达到了较高的指标.     

Oxidatively stable and highly proton conductive membrane from poly(arylene ether)s containing biphenyl moiety as pendent groups

Novel poly(arylene ether)s with sulfonic acid groups attached onto pendent biphenyl rings were successfully synthesized by the nucleophilic displacement of aromatic dihalides with bisphenols in aprotic solvent in the present of excess potassium carbonate, followed by sulfonation with chlorosulfonic acid. The sulfonation took place only on the pendent biphenyl rings due to the specially designed molecular structure. The sulfonated polymers were very soluble in common organic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N′-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films. These membranes showed excellent stabilities resistance to both oxidation and hydrolysis, as evidenced by subjecting to both Fenton's reagent test and immersion in boiling water. The proton conductivities (3.2 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) of the as-made membranes were higher than that of Nafion^® 117 (1.9 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) under same conditions. The satisfied properties of these new polymers demonstrated them as promising candidates for proton exchange membrane in PEM fuel cell applications.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(arylene ether)s bearing sulfonic acid groups on pendant phenyl rings

Two kinds of new aromatic poly(arylene ether)s containing sulfonic acid groups were synthesized. Polymer 1 composed of tetraphenylphenylene ether and perfluorobiphenylene units was sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid. Sulfonation took place only at the para position of the pendant phenyl rings. The average degree of sulfonation per repeating unit (m) was controlled from 1 to 4. Sulfonated polymer 2 with m = 3 was soluble in methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide and swelled in water. Incorporating bis(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)sulfone moieties into the sulfonated polymer imparts less methanol affinity. Polymers 4 with 30–65 mol % tetrakis(sulfophenyl)phenylene ether units has high decomposition temperatures above 300 °C, hydrophilicity, and good hydrolytic stability. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3211–3217, 2001