Synthesis and properties of highly sulfonated proton conducting polyimides from bis(3-sulfopropoxy)benzidine diamines

Two novel sulfonated diamine isomers, 2,2'-bis(3-sulfopropoxy) benzidine (2,2'-BSPB) and 3,3'-bis(3-sulfopropoxy) benzidine (3,3'-BSPB), were successfully synthesized and the highly sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) with sulfonic acid groups in the side chains were prepared from 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA) and BSPB monomers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that these side-chain-type SPI membranes have a microphase-separated structure composed of hydrophilic side chain domains and hydrophobic polyimide main chain domains. They showed high proton conductivities similar to or higher than those of Nafion 117 in the high relative humidity range (>70% RH). The proton conducting behavior was analyzed by percolation theory. Despite their high ion exchange capacity (IEC=2.89 meq. g(-1)) and high water uptakes, they displayed much better water stability than common sulfonated polyimides with the sulfonic acid groups directly bonded to the polymer backbone. This is probably due to the microphase-separated structure of the membrane and the strong basicity of BSPB diamine moieties resulting from the electron donating effect of the propoxy groups. The sulfopropoxy groups were stable against aging in acidic aqueous solution at 373 K. Both the polyimide membranes showed good mechanical strength under high moisture conditions (about 6 GPa at 90% RH) and displayed anisotropic membrane swelling.