Abstract: A fluoro sulfonated poly(phenylene) was rationally designed with an external hydrophobic shell and internal hydrophilic core in order to improve the durability and ion selectivity of a hydrocarbon membrane for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The polymer was designed to prevent hydrophilic polymer chain aggregation by attaching acid moieties onto the polymer backbone, while functionalizing the external polymer shell with hydrophobic side chains to prevent excessive vanadium crossover associated with cation exchange membranes. As an example, the hydrophobic shell can be provided by pentafluorobenzoyl group functionalization of the pendent aryl groups on a Diels Alder poly(phenylene) backbone, while the internal polymer chain can contain sulfonic acid moieties to impart hydrophilic character.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a poly(phenylene) with high ion selectivity comprises dissolving an alkyl halide poly(phenylene) in a polar aprotic solvent to form a nonaqueous solution and adding an anhydrous nucleophile to the nonaqueous solution to replace the halide of the alkyl halide poly(phenylene) with a cationic group of the nucleophile. The poly(phenylene) can be used in anion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a poly(phenylene) with high ion selectivity comprises dissolving an alkyl halide poly(phenylene) in a polar aprotic solvent to form a nonaqueous solution and adding an anhydrous nucleophile to the nonaqueous solution to replace the halide of the alkyl halide poly(phenylene) with a cationic group of the nucleophile. The poly(phenylene) can be used in anion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A fluoro sulfonated poly(phenylene) was rationally designed with an external hydrophobic shell and internal hydrophilic core in order to improve the durability and ion selectivity of a hydrocarbon membrane for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The polymer was designed to prevent hydrophilic polymer chain aggregation by attaching acid moieties onto the polymer backbone, while functionalizing the external polymer shell with hydrophobic side chains to prevent excessive vanadium crossover associated with cation exchange membranes. As an example, the hydrophobic shell can be provided by pentafluorobenzoyl group functionalization of the pendent aryl groups on a Diels Alder poly(phenylene) backbone, while the internal polymer chain can contain sulfonic acid moieties to impart hydrophilic character.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a poly(phenylene) with high ion selectivity comprises dissolving an alkyl halide poly(phenylene) in a polar aprotic solvent to form a nonaqueous solution and adding an anhydrous nucleophile to the nonaqueous solution to replace the halide of the alkyl halide poly(phenylene) with a cationic group of the nucleophile. The poly(phenylene) can be used in anion exchange membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and copolymer including a poly(phenylene) structure, as well as a long tether. In some embodiments, the long tether facilitates a reaction between the poly(phenylene) structure and another subunit of a second polymer. In some embodiments, the tether is flexible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and copolymer including a poly(phenylene) structure, as well as a long tether. In some embodiments, the long tether facilitates a reaction between the poly(phenylene) structure and another subunit of a second polymer. In some embodiments, the tether is flexible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and copolymer including a poly(phenylene) structure, as well as a long tether. In some embodiments, the long tether facilitates a reaction between the poly(phenylene) structure and another subunit of a second polymer. In some embodiments, the tether is flexible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful modifications, such as the inclusion of one or more reactive handles having an aryl group. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anionic exchange polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful cationic moiety. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein. In one instance, such polymers are employed to form a solid membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure having modifications suitable for an anion exchange membrane. Exemplary modifications include use of a cationic moiety and a halo moiety. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anionic exchange polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful cationic moiety. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein. In one instance, such polymers are employed to form a solid membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful modifications, such as the inclusion of one or more reactive handles having an aryl group. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful modifications, such as the inclusion of one or more reactive handles having an aryl group. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anionic exchange polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful cationic moiety. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein. In one instance, such polymers are employed to form a solid membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure having modifications suitable for an anion exchange membrane. Exemplary modifications include use of a cationic moiety and a halo moiety. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anionic exchange polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful cationic moiety. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein. In one instance, such polymers are employed to form a solid membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. The structure can include any useful modifications, such as the inclusion of one or more reactive handles having an aryl group. Methods and uses of such structures and polymers are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polymers including a poly(phenylene) structure. In some embodiments, the polymers and copolymers of the invention include a highly localized concentration of acidic moieties, which facilitate proton transport and conduction through networks formed from these polymers. In addition, the polymers can include functional moieties, such as electron-withdrawing moieties, to protect the polymeric backbone, thereby extending its durability. Such enhanced proton transport and durability can be beneficial for any high performance platform that employs proton exchange polymeric membranes, such as in fuel cells or flow batteries.