A clustered sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) based on a new fluorene-based bisphenol monomer

• DOI: 10.1039/c2jm34414a
• Publication Date: 2012-10-08T10:00:33Z
• Authors: Chenyi Wang; Dong Won Shin; So Young Lee; Na Rae Kang; Gilles P. Robertson; Young Moo Lee; Michael D. Guiver
• Keywords: Sulfone; Sulfonic acid; Nafion

A new fluorene-based bisphenol monomer containing two pendant phenyl groups, 9,9-bis(3-phenyl-4-hydroxy)phenyl-fluorene, was readily synthesized in high yield by a one-step reaction from inexpensive starting materials. series of poly(ether sulfone)s with clustered sulfonic acid groups prepared for fuel cell applications polycondensation the bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone and bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone, followed sulfonation exclusively on fluorene rings rings, using concentrated sulfuric at room temperature. The sulfonated polymers gave tough, flexible, transparent membranes solvent casting. ionic exchange capacity (IEC), water-uptake, dimensional stabilities, mechanical properties, thermal oxidative stabilities as well proton conductivities single properties were investigated. IEC values show transport their exhibit lower dependence relative humidity compared typical aromatic ion membranes. 4-SPES-38 an value 2.23 mequiv. g−1 displays comparable performance Nafion 212 under low conditions.