Electrochemical synthesis of soluble sulfonated poly(3-methyl thiophene)

Electrochemical polymerization of poly(3-methyl thiophene) films (3-MTy) which are self-doped with SO₃⁻ was investigated. The sulfonated poly(3-methyl thiophene) films synthesized from the solution which contained different amounts of HSO₃F. The sulfonated polymer films were found to be soluble in DMF and KOH. The solubility values increased and the conductivity values decreased with the increase in sulfonation ratio. The resulting polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis, FT-IR, elemental analysis, dry conductivity measurements and SEM techniques.     

Synthesis and characterization of SPE membrane based on sulfonated FEP‐g‐acrylic acid by radiation induced graft copolymerization for PEM fuel cell

A Novel solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane containing both ? COOH and ? SO₃H group has been prepared by simultaneous method of radiation grafting of acrylic acid onto FEP followed by sulfonation. The presence of weakly acidic acrylic acid controls the swelling in water while ? SO₃H group provides conductivity due to its strongly ionic characteristic. FEP‐g‐acrylic acid and its sulfonated derivatives were characterized by their properties. While the mechanical properties decreased, other properties such as ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake and ionic conductivity increased with increase in graft content. These properties further changed on sulfonation. Acrylic acid being weakly acidic in nature, conductivity values of the grafted membrane were quite low. However, introduction of strong ? SO₃H group resulted in conductivity closer to Nafion 117. Few sulfonated membranes have been tested with respect to H₂/O₂ fuel cell performance. Short‐term fuel cell test for 100 hr gave a stable performance. These membranes are less expensive compared to Nafion. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and Characterization of Sulfonated Polyacrylamide from Polyacrylonitrile for Proton Conductive Membranes

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was sulfonated and the membranes prepared were then characterized by the FTIR‐ATR, Elemental Analyzer EA, TGA, DSC, SEM, Tensile, Water uptake and Impedance tests. FTIR‐ATR spectra show the substitution of the sulfonic group (SO₃) to the main stem of the chain and also the hydrolysis of the cyanide group to amide group confirm the conversion of polyacrylonitrile to sulfonated polyacrylamide. Increase in water uptake property as compared to pure PAN also confirms the sulfonation process has occurred. Thermal properties also confirm the enhancement of the materials after sulfonation reaction.     

New sulfonated engineering polymers via the metalation route. II. Sulfinated/sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) PSU Udel and its crosslinking

New mixed sulfinated/sulfonated polysulfone PSU Udel has been produced by partial oxidation of sulfinated PSU with NaOCl. From the mixed sulfinated/sulfonated PSU, thin crosslinked polymer films have been produced by S-alkylation of the residual sulfinate groups with α,ω-diiodoalkanes having 4–10  (CH₂) units. The advantages of the partial oxidation process using NaOCl are as follows: (1) The desired oxidation degree can be adjusted finely. (2) No side reactions take place during oxidation. (3) The partially oxidized polymers is stable at ambient temperature. By variation of the oxidation degree of the sulfinated/sulfonated prepolymer and by variation of the chain length of the diiodo crosslinker, crosslinked membranes with a large range of properties in terms of ionic conductivity, swelling, and permselectivity have been produced. The partially oxidized polymers have been characterized by redox titration, ¹H-NMR, and FTIR. The crosslinked membranes have been characterized in terms of ionic conductivity (resistance), permselectivity, and swelling in dependence on ion-exchange capacity and oxidation degree of the prepolymers. In addition, the thermal stabilities of the membranes have been determined by TGA, and FTIR spectra have been recorded on the crosslinked films. Selected membranes show low ionic resistances, low swelling, and good temperature stability which makes them promising candidates for application in (electro)membrane processes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1441–1448, 1998     

Synthesis of highly sulfonated polybenzimidazoles by direct copolymerization and grafting

A series of highly sulfonated, ether‐containing polybenzimidazoles (SOPBI) with controlled sulfonation degrees were synthesized from various stoichiometric ratio mixtures of sodium 6,6'‐oxybis(3‐carboxybenzenesulfonate) (SODBA), 4,4'‐oxydibenzoic acid (ODBA), and 3,3'‐diaminobenzidine (DAB) by solution copolycondensation in poly(phosphoric acid). The resulting sulfonated polymers were further sulfonated by grafting of pendant sulfonic acid chains via a reaction of 1,3‐propane sultone with lithiated‐N of the imidazole rings in the polymer backbone, yielding materials with high, absolute IEC values (3.42–4.15 meq g^?1). Due to self‐neutralization, the solid state polymers possessed “free” acid content of 1.40 to 2.15 meq g^?1, were soluble in organic solvents yet insoluble in aqueous solution, while displaying proton conductivites (11–47 mS cm^?1) at elevated temperatures (80 °C, 95% RH). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3654–3666     

Synthesis of sulfonated poly(diphenylacetylene)s with high CO2 permselectivity

High‐molecular‐weight poly[1‐phenyl‐2‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)acetylene], poly[1‐phenyl‐2‐(4‐trimethylsilylphenyl) acetylene], and their copolymers were synthesized by the polymerization with TaCl₅–n‐Bu₄Sn. The obtained polymers were sulfonated by using acetyl sulfate to give sulfonated poly(diphenylacetylene)s with different degrees of substitution. The degrees of sulfonation of poly[1‐phenyl‐2‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)acetylene] and copolymers were in the range of 0.57–0.85. When poly[1‐phenyl‐2‐(4‐trimethylsilylphenyl)acetylene] was sulfonated, the sulfonated poly(diphenylacetylene) with the highest degree of sulfonation was obtained among all the polymers in this study. Its degree of sulfonation was 1.55. All the sulfonated polymers exhibited high CO₂ permselectivity, and their CO₂/N₂ separation factor were over 31. The sulfonated poly(diphenylacetylene) with the highest degree of sulfonation showed the highest CO₂/N₂ separation factor of 75. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6463–6471, 2009     

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.     

Sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s containing fluorinated moieties as proton exchange membrane materials

A series of sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s statistical copolymers with high molecular weights were synthesized via an aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization. The sulfonation content (SC), defined as the number of sulfonic acid groups contained in an average repeat unit, could be controlled by the feed ratios of monomers. Flexible and strong membranes in sodium sulfonate form could be prepared by the solution casting method, and readily transformed to their proton forms by treating them in 2 N sulfuric acid. The polymers showed high T_gs, which increased with an increase in SC. Membranes prepared from the present sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) copolymers containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene moiety (SPEEKK‐6F) and copolymers containing the pendant 3,5‐ditrifluoromethylphenyl moiety (SPEEKK‐6FP) had lower water uptakes and lower swelling ratios in comparison with previously prepared copolymers containing 6F units. All of the polymers possessed proton conductivities higher than 1 × 10^?2 S/cm at room temperature, and proton conductivity values of several polymers were comparable to that of Nafion at high relative humidity. Their thermal stability, oxidative stability, and mechanical properties were also evaluated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2299–2310, 2006     

Synthesis of sulfonated aromatic poly(ether amide)s and their application to proton exchange membrane fuel cells

A series of wholly aromatic sulfonated poly(ether amide)s (SPEAs) containing a sulfonic acid group on the dicarbonyl aromatic ring were prepared via a polycondensation reaction of sulfonated terephthalic acid (STA), terephthalic acid (TA), and aromatic diamine monomers. The degree of sulfonation was readily controlled by adjusting the monomer feed ratio of STA and TA in the polymerization process, and randomly sulfonated polymers with an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.0–1.8 mequiv/g were prepared using this protocol. The chemical structures of randomly sulfonated polymers were characterized using NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopies. Gel permeation chromatography analysis of SPEAs indicated the formation of high‐molecular‐weight sulfonated polymer. Tough and flexible SPEA membranes were obtained from solution of N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and thermogravimetric analysis of these membranes showed a high degree of thermal stability. Compared with previously reported sulfonated aromatic polyamides, these new SPEAs showed a significantly lower water uptake of 10–30%. In proton conductivity measurements, ODA‐SPEA‐70 (IEC = 1.80 mequiv/g), which was obtained from polycondensation of 4,4′‐oxydianiline and 70 mol % STA, showed a comparable proton conductivity (105 mS/cm) to that of Nafion 117 at 80 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 485–496, 2009     

Preparation and characterization of sulfonated polyimide ionomers via post‐sulfonation method for fuel cell applications

This paper describes our work on the synthesis of a series of sulfonated homo‐/co‐polyimides (SPI) which were obtained by post‐sulfonation method over three steps. In the first step, 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) dissolved in N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) were reacted with benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) in order to yield poly(amic acid) (PAA). Secondly, precipitated PAA was sulfonated via concentrated sulfuric acid (95–98%) at room temperature to give post‐sulfonated PAA (PSPAA). Finally, PSPAA was converted into post‐sulfonated PI (PSPI) by the thermal imidization method. PSPIs with ion exchange capacity (IEC) ranging from 0.20 to 0.67 meq/g were prepared. The thermal properties of the PSPIs were evaluated and high desulfonation temperature was found in the range of 190–350°C, suggesting the high stability of sulfonic acid groups. In water, PSPI‐5 membrane displayed similar proton conductivity to Nafion®117, whereas this membrane showed poor conductivity in dry state. All PSPIs displayed good solubility in common polar aprotic solvents such as NMP and dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Furthermore, the effects of post‐sulfonation reaction on chemical structure, thermal oxidative behavior, and physical properties of the PSPI membranes such as membrane quality/stability and water uptake were discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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     

Synthesis and properties of water stable poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinone)] ionomers for proton exchange membranes fuel cells

A novel sulfonated tetraamine, di(triethylammonium)-4,4′-bis(3,4-diaminophenoxy)biphenyl-3,3′-disulfonate (BAPBDS), was successfully synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl with 5-chloro-2-nitroaniline, followed by sulfonation and reduction. A high-temperature polycondensation of sulfonated tetraamine, non-sulfonated tetraamine (4,4′-bis(3,4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl) and 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (a) or 4,4′-binaphthyl-1,1′,8,8′-tetracarboxylic dianydride (b) gave the poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] ionomers SPBIBI-a(x) or SPBIBI-b(x), where x refers to the molar percentage of the sulfonated tetraamine monomer. Flexible and tough membranes of high mechanical strength were obtained by solution casting and the electrolyte properties of the polymers were intensively investigated. The ionomer membranes displayed excellent dimensional and hydrolytic stabilities. Moreover, these novel membranes showed proton conductivities comparable to that of Nafion 117, especially at high temperature. In addition, the proton conductivities of the SPBIBI-a ionomer membranes were found to be higher than those of the SPBIBI-b ones due to the weakened acid–base interactions between the pyridinone ring and the sulfonic acid groups. The highest proton conductivity (0.174 S/cm) was obtained for the SPBIBI-a(100) membrane at 100 °C, with an IEC of 2.65 mequiv./g. A combination of excellent dimensional and hydrolytic stabilities indicated that the SPBIBI ionomers were good candidate materials for proton exchange membrane in fuel cell applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of multiblock sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) membranes with different hydrophilic moieties for application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Multiblock sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s were synthesized to investigate the structural effects on their membrane properties. Three different types of sulfonated hydrophilic blocks were used; their structures possessed different acidity and local concentration of sulfonic acid groups. For the comparison between the block copolymers, a hydrophobic block with the same chemical structure and block length was used. The different acidities and local concentration were achieved using different sulfonation methods, such as postsulfonation and direct condensation with sulfonated monomers, and different monomers for preparing the hydrophilic block. The higher acidity and concentration of sulfonic acid groups resulted in higher proton conductivity under certain relative humidity conditions and phase separation as shown in the transmission electron microscopy analysis. The synthesized oligomers and polymers were well characterized, and the other physical properties were also investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2947–2957     

Proton‐conducting electrolytes based on silylated and sulfonated polyetheretherketone: Synthesis and characterization

A derivative of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) having sulfonic acid groups and silicon‐containing substituents covalently bound to the aromatic backbone has been prepared as proton‐exchange membrane material. The polymer 4 (PhSiSPEEK) has been synthesized via (i) sulfonation of PEEK up to 0.9 degree of sulfonation (DS, the number of sulfonic groups per repeat unit), (ii) conversion of sulfonated PEEK 1 (SPEEK09) into sulfonyl chlorinated derivative 2 (PEEKSO₂Cl), (iii) lithiation of 2 and subsequent addition of PhSiCl₃, followed by hydrolysis. The chemical structure of the synthesized polymers has been investigated by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR and ATR/FTIR spectroscopy and their thermal stability has been evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The presence of inorganic moieties increases the thermal stability of 4 with respect to the sulfonated and not silylated product. Despite its very high DS, PhSiSPEEK is insoluble in water but does not possess the plastic properties needed to be used as an electrolyte membrane. Blend membranes made of SPEEK05 (DS = 0.5) and containing 10 and 25 wt % of 4 (DS = 0.9, degree of silylation DSi = 0.1) have been prepared and characterized by water uptake measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The combination of the two functionalized polymers having different properties allows to obtain proton‐conducting electrolytes that are potential candidates for fuel cells applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2178–2186, 2010     

New sulfonate-containing network polymers based on immobilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-metacyclophane-3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26-octols

Polymeric metacyclophaneoctol-based sulfonic acids have been synthesized, and their ion-exchange properties have been studied. New polymeric sulfonic acids have been obtained through the sulfonation of network polymers based on immobilized cis-metacyclophane-3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26-octols. The structure of the polymers has been investigated by means of IR spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, and elemental analysis. The polymers thus obtained possess a high ion-exchange capacity with respect to Na⁺, Cu²⁺, [Pd(NH₃)₄]²⁺, and In³⁺ cations in a wide pH range. Selectivity coefficients of Na⁺-H⁺, Cu²⁺-H⁺, and In³⁺-H⁺ ion exchange have been estimated.     

Superacid polymers from sulfonated poly(styrene-divinylbenzene): Preparation and characterization

Superacid polymers were prepared by bringing metal halides (AlCl₃, SnCl₄, TiCl₄, BF₃, or SbF₅) in contact with macroporous sulfonic acid resins [sulfonated, crosslinked poly(styrene-divinylbenzene)]. The resulting solids were characterized by chemical analysis, temperature-programmed desorption, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. They were also tested as catalysts for n-butane isomerization at 0.5 bar and 60 to 120°C. The polymers consist of supported metal oxyhalide particles, complexes of metal oxyhalides and sulfonate groups, and the remaining unreacted sulfonic acid groups. In the presence of HCl, these polymers were highly active catalysts for the butane isomerization reaction, the activity being a consequence of a high proton-donor strength inferred to be associated with H₂Cl⁺ groups stabilized on the polymer surface by negative charge delocalization over sulfonate–metal oxyhalide sulfonate groups.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfonated Polyimides Containing Trifluoromethyl Groups as Proton Exchange Membranes

A novel sulfonated diamine, 4,4′‐bis(4‐amino‐3‐trifluoromethylphenoxy) biphenyl 3,3′‐disulfonic acid (F‐BAPBDS), was successfully synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 4,4′‐dihydroxybiphenyl with 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride, followed by reduction and sulfonation. A series of sulfonated polyimides of high molecular weight (SPI‐x, x represents the molar percentage of the sulfonated monomer) were prepared by copolymerization of 1,4,5,8‐naphathlenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA) with F‐BAPBDS and nonsulfonated diamine. Flexible and tough membranes of high mechanical strength were obtained by solution casting and the electrolyte properties of the polymers were intensively investigated. The copolymer membranes exhibited excellent oxidative stability due to the introducing of the CF₃ groups. The SPI membranes displayed desirable proton conductivity (0.52×10⁻¹–0.97×10⁻¹ S·cm⁻¹) and low methanol permeability (less than 2.8×10⁻⁷ cm²·s⁻¹). The highest proton conductivity (1.89×10⁻¹ S·cm⁻¹) was obtained for the SPI‐90 membrane at 80°C, with an IEC of 2.12 mequiv/g. This value is higher than that of Nafion 117 (1.7×10⁻¹ S·cm⁻¹). Furthermore, the hydrolytic stability of the obtained SPIs is better than the BDSA and ODADS based SPIs due to the hydrophobic CF₃ groups which protect the imide ring from being attacked by water molecules, in spite of its strong electron‐withdrawing behaviors.     

Formation and reaction of polyenesulfonic acid. I. Reaction of polyethylene films with SO3

The surface of polyethylene (PE) film was sulfonated by reaction with gaseous SO₃. The structure of the sulfonated PE films was determined on the basis of spectroscopic data such as IR, UV, and resonance Raman spectra. It was confirmed that a PE film and SO₃ gave unsaturated sulfonic acids and that, as the reaction proceeded, the elimination of sulfurous acids took place to form sulfonic acids having highly conjugated C?C unsaturated bonds.     

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.     

Sulfonated polyimides containing 1,2,4-triazole groups for proton exchange membranes

A series of sulfonated polyimide copolymers as novel proton exchange materials were synthesized by the polycondensation of 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride(NTDA), sulfonated diamine based on pyridine group and diamine containing N-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole moiety. Flexible, transparent and tough membranes with high thermal stability and good mechanical properties were obtained. They exhibited good stability in boiling water and Fenton's reagent at 80 °C. More interestingly, a nonlinear relationship between proton conductivities of the resulting membranes and the degree of sulfonation(DS) was observed. The membrane with 50% DS exhibited the maximum proton conductivity, which was due to the combinational contributions of sulfonic acid and N-pheny-1,2,4-triazole groups. Thus, the N-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole moiety in this study not only can depress water absorption but also increase proton conductivity, especially at low DS.