Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether) containing tetraphenylmethane moieties for proton-exchange membrane

A novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether) containing tetraphenylmethane moieties was successfully synthesized by the sulfonation of a designed parent polymer using chlorosulfonic acid as sulfonation agent. The sulfonation took place only at the para position on the pendant phenyl rings because of the specially designed parent polymer. The sulfonation degree can be easily controlled by using different ratios of sulfonation agent to polymer repeating unit. The position and degree of sulfonation were characterized by H-1 NMR and elemental analysis. The sulfonated polymers are highly soluble in common organic solvents, such as dimethylsulfoxide, N,N'-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films from solutions. The films showed good thermal and hydrolysis stabilities. Moreover, Fenton's reagent test revealed that the membrane exhibited superior stability to oxidation. The proton conductivities of the films were determined to be equivalent with Nafion (R) 117 under same conditions. The new polymer with sulfonic acid function on pendent phenyl rings can be potentially used as a proton-exchange membrane for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.