Abstract: Ether nitrile co-polymers containing sulfonic acid groups, including wholly aromatic poly(aryl ether ether nitrile)s containing sulfonic acid groups (SPAEEN)s, and poly(phthalazinone ether ketone nitrile) co-polymers containing sulfonic acid groups (SPPEKN)s, intended for fuel cells applications as proton conducting membrane materials, were prepared.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a cross-linked, sulfonated, proton exchange membrane for fuel cells, which includes: providing a sulfonated polymer, for example SPEEK; dissolving the sulfonated polymer in a polar casting solvent; adding at least one polyol cross-linking agent to obtain a solution, the cross-linking agent being added in a ratio of at least 1 polyol molecules per repeat unit of the sulfonated polymer to generate cross-linking; casting the solution to obtain the membrane; and curing the membrane.

Abstract: Fluorinated comb co-polymers have a main chain including a semi-rigid hydrophobic fluorinated poly(ether) backbone and comb segments in the form of flexible and monodisperse side chains that are more hydrophilic than the backbone. The side chains may be hydrophilic polymeric chains obtained from “living-type” polymerization, for example polymethacrylates, polyethylene oxides, polystyrenes. Hydrophilic functionality, for example, ionic groups may be selectively introduced onto the side chain post polymerization. The side chain may be sulfonated ?-methyl polystyrene. Such polymers are useful in proton exchange membranes.

Abstract: A new series of wholly aromatic poly(arylene ether ether ketone ketone)s containing pendant sulfonic acid groups (SPAEEKK) were conveniently prepared by potassium carbonate mediated nucleophilic polycondensation reactions of inexpensive commercially available monomers: 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (BFBB), sodium 6,7-dihydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonate (DHNS), and 4,4?-biphenol or hydroquinone in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) at 170° C. FT-IR and NMR were used to characterize the structures and the sulfonate or sulfonic acid contents (SC) of the polymers. Flexible membrane films were obtained by casting N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solutions of copolymers. Membrane films in acid form were then obtained by treating the sodium form membrane films in 2 N sulfuric acid at room temperature. Glass transition temperatures (Tgs) and decomposition temperatures (Tds) of SPAEEKKs in both sodium and acid forms were determined. Water uptake and swelling ratio values increased with SCs and temperatures.

Abstract: Bromomethyl derivatives of polyaryl ether ketones are obtained by brominating methyl derivatives of the ketones preferably with elemental bromine, optionally under UV light. The bromomethyl derivatives are useful as intermediates for further functionalization of the aromatic polyether ketones. The functionalized derivatives, depending on the substituent, exhibit different properties than the basic polymer, for example increased hydrophilicity and solubility.