Abstract: A membrane includes a base membrane; and an electron beam functionalized coating, the coating comprising a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol-polyvinyl amine copolymer, a polyvinyl amine, and derivatives thereof functionalized with an electron beam reactive group adapted to form a radical under high energy irradiation. Also disclosed are processes for forming the membrane.

Abstract: An aromatic polyether comprising structural units derived from a halosulfone sulfonate having structure (I): wherein R1 is a C3-C25 aromatic radical, a C3-C25 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; M is hydrogen or a charge balancing cation; Y1 is independently at each occurrence a halogen; “t” is an integer having a value of 1 or 2; “s” is an integer having a value 0 to 3, “b” is an integer having a value 1 to 4; and “c” is an integer having a value 1 to 20. Also provided are methods of preparing the aromatic polyethers, and compositions including the aromatic polyethers.

Abstract: Sulfonated polyethersulfones and polymer compositions comprising sulfonated polyethersulfones and at least one inorganic heteropolyacid are useful as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells. The polyethersulfones include structural units derived from at least one biphenol monomer and a monomer of formula I wherein X is O, S or NR1; Y is N or CR5; R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl or substituted arylalkyl, or R3 and R4, taken together, form a 5- or 6-membered substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic ring; R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl or substituted arylalkyl; and L is a direct bond or a divalent aromatic linker containing 6-12 carbons.

Abstract: Novel polyethersulfone compositions have been discovered which incorporate structural subunits derived from sulfonated bis(halophenyl)sulfones, dihydroxy terphenyls, and/or bis(hydroxyphenyl)pyridines. The sulfonated polyethersulfones show promise as materials for use in polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) in fuel cells owing to their high proton conductivities (0.02-0.07 S/cm at 20° C. and 100 percent humidity). In addition, a novel unsulfonated thermoplastic polyethersulfone comprising structural subunits derived from a non-sulfonated bis(halophenyl)sulfone bis4-fluorophenyl)sulfone and 4,4?-dihydroxyphenyl-2,6-pyridine (CAS No. 171820-16-9) is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to monomers comprising superacidic functional groups. The superacidic functional groups comprise fluorinated sulfonate moieties. Monomers provided by the present invention include dihydroxy aromatic compounds, aromatic diamines, aromatic dicarboxylic acids, aromatic diacarboxylic acid esters, aromatic dithiols, and monomers comprising mixed functionalities, for example monomers comprising an aromatic amine group and an aromatic hydroxyl group. The monomers provided by the present invention are useful in the preparation of novel polymers comprising superacidic functional groups, materials useful in membrane applications. The superacidic functional groups present in the polymer compositions impart excellent proton conductivities. In one embodiment, the present invention provides monomers which may be used to prepare polymers useful as materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to polymers derived from monomers having aromatic superacidic functional groups. The superacidic functional groups comprise fluorinated sulfonate moieties. Polymers provided by the present invention include polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyestercarbonates, polyetherketones, and polyethersulfones among others. The polymers provided by the present invention include block and random copolymers. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a polyetherketone-polyethersulfone block copolymer comprising superacidic functional groups. Polymers comprising superacidic functional groups are useful materials in membrane applications. The superacidic functional groups present in the new polymer compositions impart excellent proton conductivities. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymers useful as materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymer suitable for use as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells comprise sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks comprise structural units of formula I wherein R1 is C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Ar1 and Ar2 are each independently C6-C20 aromatic radicals, or Ar1 and Ar2, taken together with an intervening carbon atom, form a bicyclic C6-C20 aromatic radical or a tricyclic C6-C20 aromatic radical; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof; and a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4.