Synthesis of sulfonated poly(arylene ether) membrane with triazole moiety for fuel cell application

Abstract

Novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether) membranes with triazole introduced monomer (SPAE-TM) were synthesized via conventional aromatic condensation reaction. The TM was used as proton transfer moiety to increase proton conductivity of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs). To compare chemical, mechanical and thermal stabilities of non crosslinked polymer electrolyte membranes (SPAE-TM10, SPAE-TM20), crosslinked membranes were prepared by thermal crosslinking method (cSPAE-TM10, cSPAE-TM20). The SPAE-TM membranes exhibited excellent thermal stability (Tg = ca. 250 °C). The proton conductivities of all membranes were sufficiently high in a wide range of temperatures. The water uptake and swelling ratio of SPAE-TM membranes were successfully suppressed in comparison with SPAE-TM0 membrane.