Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis, preparation and use of a new family of proton conducting polymer membranes. These proton-conducting polymer membranes are produced from the products of joint condensation of polyamides with sulfonated aromatic derivatives of aldehydes in the presence of solvent and acid catalyst. The resulting products have low equivalent weight, high ionic conductivity at room temperature, excellent proton function value, and insignificant change of geometrical size due to swelling in water and acid solutions. The products exhibit high mechanical strength and thermal stability to more than 150° C., well in excess of that for poly-fluorinated compounds presently used in electrochemical membranes and sensors.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis, preparation and use of a new family of proton conducting polymer membranes. These proton-conducting polymer membranes are produced from the products of joint condensation of polyamides with sulfonated aromatic derivatives of aldehydes in the presence of solvent and acid catalyst. The resulting products have low equivalent weight, high ionic conductivity at room temperature, excellent proton function value, and insignificant change of geometrical size due to swelling in water and acid solutions. The products exhibit high mechanical strength and thermal stability to more than 150° C., well in excess of that for poly-fluorinated compounds presently used in electrochemical membranes and sensors.