Synthesis of Sulfonated Poly(Arylene Ether Sulfone)s Containing Aliphatic Moieties for Effective Membrane Electrode Assembly Fabrication by Low-Temperature Decal Transfer Methods

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the aliphatic moiety in the sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) backbone. A new monomer (4,4'-dihydroxy-1,6-diphenoxyhexane) was synthesized and polymerized with other monomers to obtain partially alkylated SPAESs. According to differential scanning calorimetry analysis, the glass transition temperature (T-g) of these polymers ranged from 85 to 90 degrees C, which is 100 degrees C lower than that of the fully aromatic SPAES. Due to the low T-g values obtained for the partially alkylated SPAESs, it was possible to prepare a hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane-based membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with Nafion(R) binder in the electrode through the use of a decal transfer method, which is the most commercially suitable system to obtain an MEA of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). A single cell prepared using this partially alkylated SPAES as an electrolyte membrane exhibited a peak power density of 539 mW cm(-2).

Automated summary

The study found that the aliphatic moiety in sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) backbone plays a significant role, with partially alkylated SPAES having lower glass transition temperatures, which are beneficial for preparing electrolyte membranes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells.