A thermally crosslinked multiblock sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone nitrile) copolymer with a 1, 2, 3-triazole pendant for proton conducting membranes. Issue 8 (6th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Huayuan; Dong, Tiandu; Sui, Yuqian; Li, Nanwen; Ueda, Mitsuru; Wang, Lianjun; Zhang, Xuan
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 3560
• Page End: 3570
• Publication Date: 2018-02-06
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ta10290a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A novel concept for the molecular design of a proton conducting membrane is proposed; this concept simultaneously implements strategies involving multiblock, thermally induced rearrangement and acid–base interaction. Abstract : A novel concept for the molecular design of a proton conducting membrane is proposed; this concept simultaneously implements strategies involving multiblock, thermally induced rearrangement and acid–base interaction. The complete synthesis involves oligomeric polycondensation, followed by the introduction of a 1, 2, 3-triazole side-chain via a click reaction, sulfonation and intermolecular dimerization, to generate a mechanically robust and chemically stable polymer membrane. The results of characterization demonstrate significant microphase separation of the crosslinked membrane due to morphological transformation, and that the presence of a large amount of weak-base pendants contributes to the enhancement of ion conductivity over the entire relative humidity range (30–95%). Moreover, it also generates power outputs as high as 1.07, 0.87 and 0.48 W cm −2 at 80 °C under 95%, 70% and 30% relative humidity conditions, respectively, which significantly improve the fuel cell performance by 34–40%, compared to the virgin membrane. In general, the results of this study suggest new synthetic pathways for high-performance ion-exchange membranes.