Synthesis and preparation of sulfonated hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)–sulfonated linear poly(aryl ether ketone) blend membranes for proton exchange membranes

Abstract

A novel series of sulfonated hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)s (S-HPAEKs) was synthesized based on different post-sulfonation reactions of fluoro-terminated hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone). Moreover, the blend membranes of S-HPAEKs with sulfonated linear poly(aryl ether ketone) (S-LPAEK) (S-HPAEK/S-LPAEK) were prepared for proton exchange membrane. All the blends could be cast into tough membranes. The structure of S-HPAEKs was characterized and the thermal stability, water uptake, and proton conductivity of S-HPAEK/S-LPAEK membranes were investigated. The results showed that S-HPAEK/S-LPAEK membranes possessed good thermal stability, better water uptake, and good proton conductivity compared with the S-LPAEK membrane, and their properties depended on the ion exchange capacity and the content of S-HPAEK in the blend membranes.