Azide-assisted terminal crosslinking of ionomeric blocks: Effects on morphology and proton conductivity

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 392; pp. 58 - 65
• Main Authors: Thankamony, Roshni Lilly, Hwang, Jeong-Mo, Kim, Tae-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: artificial membranes; Block copolymer; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; crosslinking; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Membranes; Morphological analysis; Polymer electrolyte membrane; Proton conductivity; Sulfonated poly(fluorenyl ether sulfone); temperature; Terminal crosslinking; Polymer electrolyte membrane; Proton conductivity; Sulfonated poly(fluorenyl ether sulfone); Block copolymer; Terminal crosslinking; Morphological analysis; Conduction; Polymeric membrane; Ether; Sulfone; Fluorine containing polymer; Crosslinking; High temperature; Sulfonate polymer; Azides; Electrolyte; Morphology
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2011.12.002

► Terminally crosslinked block copolymer membrane was prepared. ► Morphologies and conductivities are investigated as a function of temperature. ► Higher proton conductivities were obtained than Nafion ® at 20 °C and 100 °C. ► Morphological changes induced by high temperature. A novel terminally crosslinked block SPES-b membrane was prepared using an azide-assisted thermal curing of sulfonated multiblock poly(arylene ether sulfone). The membrane morphologies and conductivities were investigated as a function of temperature. The crosslinked block SPES-b membrane showed higher proton conductivities than Nafion ® both at 20 °C (0.09 S/cm) and 100 °C (0.77 S/cm). High temperatures induced significant conduction enhancements and morphological changes for SPES-b.