Crosslinked monosulfonated poly(arylene ether) using cyclodimerization of trifluorovinyl ether groups for fuel cell applications

Abstract

A crosslinker and crosslinkable sulfonated poly(arylene ether) s with trifluorovinyl ether groups were synthesized via reaction of 4-trifluorovinyloxyphenol for application in fuel cells. Crosslinked poly(arylene ether) membranes were prepared by thermal irradiation, and the cyclodimerization of the trifluorovinyl ether groups in the polymers as well as the crosslinker was confirmed using differential scanning calorimetry and infrared measurements. These crosslinked membranes showed a low swelling ratio, comparable to that of Nafion 112. The proton conductivity of the crosslinked membranes was 0.17 and 0.3 S cm(-1) at 30 and 80 degrees C, respectively, much higher than that of Nafion 112 under the same conditions. The excellent dimensional stability and high conductivity of the crosslinked membranes can be attributed to this new type of crosslinking system (end-group crosslinking) as well as the chemical structure of crosslinked (multi-block) polymers. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry