Studies on the Relationship of Polymer Backbone Rigidity and Properties for Proton Exchange Membranes Derived from Sulfonated Polys(Arylene Ether Sulfone)

A series of novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) copolymers were successfully synthesized from hexafluoro bisphenol A (6F-BPA), 9,9’-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene (BHPF), 4,4’-difluorodiphenyl sulfone (DFDPS) and 3,3’-disulfonate-4,4’-difluorodiphenyl sulfone (SDFDPS) via aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization, and subsequently used to prepare proton exchange membranes. By adjusting the ratio of 6F-BPA to BHPF, the influence of the rigidity of polymer backbone on the properties of the prepared membranes was investigated in detail. The results indicated that the SPAES membranes had better stability towards water but lowered water uptake and proton conductivity with the increase in the polymer backbone rigidity.