Abstract
Sulfonated poly(arylene biphenylether sulfone)-poly(arylene ether) (SPABES-PAE) block copolymers by controlling the molar ratio of SPABES and PAE oligomers were successfully synthesized, and the performances of SPABES-PAE (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) membranes were compared with Nafion 212. The prepared membranes including fluorinated hydrophobic units were stable against heat, nucleophile attack, and physio-chemical durability during the tests. Moreover, the polymers exhibited better solubility in a variety of solvents. The chemical structure of SPABES-PAEs was investigated by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The membrane of SPABES-PAEs was fabricated by the solution casting method, and the membranes were very flexible and transparent with a thickness of 70–90 μm. The morphology of the membranes was observed using atomic force microscope and the ionic domain size was proved by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurement. The incorporation of polymers including fluorinated units allowed the membranes to provide unprecedented oxidative and dimensional stabilities, as verified from the results of ex situ durability tests and water uptake capacity, respectively. By the collective efforts, we observed an enhanced water retention capacity, reasonable dimensional stability and high proton conductivity, and the peak power density of the SPABES-PAE (2:1) was 333.29 mW·cm−2 at 60 °C under 100% relative humidity (RH).
Highlights
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are attracting immense attention as alternative power sources for portable and stationary electronics as they allow H2 and O2 gases to generate energy with low/zero production of poisonous gases
The proton signal of the non-sulfonated poly(arylene biphenyl ether sulfone) (PABES)-poly(arylene ether) (PAE) was exhibited at 8.0−7.0 ppm, which indicated the presence of phenylene groups
Whereas the proton signal of SPABES-PAE block copolymer was shown at 8.7−7.0 ppm, and this observation coincided with the results from a
Summary
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are attracting immense attention as alternative power sources for portable and stationary electronics as they allow H2 and O2 gases to generate energy with low/zero production of poisonous gases. McGrath et al [13] designed and synthesized multi-block copolymers containing sulfonated and fluorinated segments They reported that the membranes have good thermomechanical stabilities and high ion conductivity in relation to commercial Nafion membrane under low humidity condition. Block copolymer containing hydrophobic oligomer with perfluorinated structure and hydrophilic oligomer is deduced as a strategy for the production of ideal PEM through lowering the volume change by water drift. In line with these facts, the sulfonated poly(arylene biphenylether sulfone)-poly(arylene ether). The properties of SPABES-PAE membranes were widely studied in terms of water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC), thermal stability, oxidative stability, and proton conductivity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
