Novel proton conductive hybrid membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone and benzotriazole

As anhydrous proton conductive membranes, sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) and 1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole (BTri) hybrid membranes were prepared. The sulfonation of polysulfone was performed with trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate, and high degree of sulfonation (134%) was obtained. The polymer electrolyte membranes, SPSU–BTriX, were prepared by blending of 1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole in SPSU. FTIR confirmed the sulfonation of PSU and the ionic interaction between sulfonic acid and benzotriazole units. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis showed that the polymer electrolyte membranes are thermally stable up to approximately 200 °C. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated the homogeneity of the membranes. The maximum proton conductivity has been measured for SPSU–BTri2 as 3.6 × 10−3S/cm at 150 °C.