Synthesis of a novel sulfonated poly(ether ether sulfone)s used as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

A novel sulfonated poly(ether ether sulfone) derived from 3,3' 5,5'-tetramethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diol was synthesized by direct aromatic nuelecphilic condensation of 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diol with various ratios of 3, 3'-disulfonate-4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone to 4, 4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone. The polymers have a good thermal stability and solubility in some polar solvents. Most of them can be cast into tough membranes, and the properties of the membranes will be studied in future.