Synthesis and proton conductivity of sulfonated,multi‐phenylated poly(arylene ether)s |
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Authors: | Hsu‐Feng Lee Po‐Hsun Wang Yi‐Chiang Huang Wen‐Hung Su Ram Gopal Chun Che Lee Steven Holdcroft Wen‐Yao Huang |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Photonics, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, , Kaohsiung, 80424 Taiwan;2. Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, , Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6 Canada |
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Abstract: | A series of sterically‐encumbered, sulfonated, poly(arylene ether) copolymers were synthesized and their proton conductivity examined. The series was prepared by copolymerizing a novel monomer, 2″,3″,5″,6″‐tetraphenyl‐1,1′:4',1″:4″,1″':4″',1″″‐quinquephenyl]‐4,4″″‐diol, with 4,4'‐difluorobenzophenone and bisphenol A. Subsequent sulfonation and solution casting provided membranes possessing ion exchange capacities of 1.9 to 2.7 mmol/g and excellent mechanical properties (Young's modulus, 0.2–1.2 GPa; tensile strength, 35–70 MPa; elongation at break, 62–231%). Water uptake ranged from 34 to 98 wt% at 80 °C/100% RH. Proton conductivities ranged between 0.24 to 16 mS/cm at 80 °C/60% RH, and 3 to 167 mS/cm at 80 °C/95% RH. TEM analysis of the polymers, in the dehydrated state, revealed isolated spherical aggregates of ions, which presumably coalesce when hydrated to provide highly conductive pathways. The strategy of using highly‐encumbered polymer frameworks for the design of mechanically‐robust and dimensionally‐stable proton conducting membranes is demonstrated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2579‐2587 |
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Keywords: | fuel cells ionomers membranes poly(arylene ether) polycondensation proton conductivity |
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