A facile method to prepare phosphoric polymer networks with high proton conductivity

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 349; p. 134858
• Main Authors: Wang, Yuyong, Pu, Xu, Zhang, Pengjuan, Pu, Heng, Pu, Hongting
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.10.2023
• Subjects: 2-(Methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphate; Bis[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] phosphate; Phosphoric polymer; Polymer network; Proton conductivity; Proton conductivity; Phosphoric polymer; Bis[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] phosphate; 2-(Methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphate; Polymer network
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2023.134858

[Display omitted] •A phosphoric polymer network prepared from mono- and di-substituted phosphate.•The network exhibits outstanding mechanical properties.•The network has excellent IEC value, dimensional stability, and water uptake.•The membranes have high proton conductivity at both hydrate and anhydrous states. Phosphoric polymers have good proton conductivity. However, their high hydrophilicity and even water solubility have limited application in proton exchange membranes. In present study, a facile method to prepare phosphoric polymer networks with high proton conductivity is proposed. By adjusting the feeding ratio of P2O5 and hydroxyethyl methacrylate, a series of mixed monomers with different ratios of bis[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] phosphate (BMEP) and 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphate (MEP) can be obtained. After copolymerization of BMEP and MEP, the membranes based on the copolymer network exhibit corresponding improved properties (such as increment of mechanical properties and IEC values) with increasing content of BMEP. The highest proton conductivity of the membranes is up to 1.06 × 10−1 S/cm under hydrated state and 7.30 × 10−4 S/cm under anhydrous state.