Abstract: Reactive monomers containing the trifluorovinyloxy group may be copolymerized to form polymers useful as membranes, especially polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells. The monomers have the formula ((CF2CFO(R1)p)nArX2 wherein Ar is a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent, substituted or unsubstituted, aromatic or heteroaromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic group having from 5 to 50 carbon atoms; X is OH, SH, NR2aR2b, F or Br; p is 0 or 1; n is 1, 2 or 3; R1 is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and R2a and R2b are independently H, C1-C8 alkyl or C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl.

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 the polyethersulfone blocks comprising structural units of formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z and Z1 are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)r, (CF2)r, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m and n are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymers that may be used as membranes for fuel cells include sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and lightly sulfonated polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks include structural units of formula and the lightly sulfonated polyethersulfone blocks include structural units of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z, Z1 and Z2 are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)r, (CF2)r, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof; a and e are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c, d, and f are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m, n and p are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: Processes for controlled sulfonation of a polyaryletherketone comprise reacting a monomer of formula VIII with a monomer of formula IX to form a polyaryletherketone; and sulfonating the polyaryletherketone to form a sulfonated polyaryletherketone comprising structural units of formula IV wherein R1 is halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, or C3-C15 aryl; a is an integer from 0 to 4; Y is F, Cl, Br or a mixture thereof; m is 0 or 1; and Q is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Sulfonated polyimides that include structural units derived from a monomer of formula I are useful as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells.

Abstract: Sulfonated polyethersulfones and polymer compositions comprising sulfonated polyethersulfones and at least one inorganic heteropolyacid are useful as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells.

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.