Fluorinated sulfonated poly (arylene ether)s bearing semi-crystalline structures for highly conducting and stable proton exchange membranes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.06.140
• Publication Date: 2020-07-30T05:48:33Z
• Authors: Dong-Hyeon Kim; In Kee Park; Dong-Hoon Lee
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

Abstract An aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction-based direct polycondensation of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane, 1,4-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (1,4-FBB), and 3,3′-disulfonate-4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone is used to synthesize 1,4-FBB in fluorinated sulfonated semi-crystalline poly (arylene ether) copolymers. The ion exchange capacity, mechanical stability, thermal stability, and oxidative stability of membranes with various degrees of sulfonation and water absorption are studied. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and atomic force microscopy verify the chemical structure of the synthesized ion exchange membrane. The semi-crystalline 6 F-membrane shows reliable chemical, mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical stability. Compared to Nafion 212®, which is a commercial ion exchange membrane, the semi-crystalline 6 F-membrane shows excellent cell performance as current density is increased. All the results mentioned above indicate that this semi-crystalline 6 F-membrane is a good candidate to replace the commercial membranes.