Abstract
We synthesized novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (SPAESs) multi-block copolymer membranes containing highly sulfonated hydrophilic blocks. Two different kinds of multi-block SPAESs sharing the same structure of hydrophobic blocks were proposed to investigate the membrane properties based on the effects of the hydrophilic blocks bearing sulfonic acids. The higher local concentration and acidity of the sulfonic acid groups in the hydrophilic block induced higher proton conductivity. The block SPAESs showed comparable proton conductivities to those of the state-of-the-art perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes, and their transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed a well-developed phase separation. In particular, the SPAES 4 X10Y10 membrane showed excellent proton conductivity, which was higher than that of the PFSA over the entire relative humidity (RH) range at 80°C. Moreover, the multi-block SPAES membranes showed a comparable fuel cell performance to the Nafion membranes, even at 50% and 30% RH.
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.
