Naphthalene dianhydride based semifluorinated sulfonated copoly(ether imide)s: Synthesis, characterization and proton exchange properties

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 441; pp. 168 - 177
• Main Authors: Mistri, Ershad Ali, Mohanty, Aruna Kumar, Banerjee, Susanta, Komber, Hartmut, Voit, Brigitte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.08.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Activation energy; Applied sciences; artificial membranes; composite polymers; Copolymers; Diamines; Dianhydrides; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange; Exchange resins and membranes; Fluorinated co-poly(ether imide)s; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; hydrophilicity; mechanical properties; Membranes; Molecular structure; molecular weight; Naphthalene; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; oxidative stability; Polycondensation reactions; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Proton conductivity; Technology of polymers; temperature; Transmission electron microscopy; Fluorinated co-poly(ether imide)s; Proton conductivity; Transmission electron microscopy; Activation energy; Characterization; Polymeric membrane; Synthesis; Fluorine containing polymer; Ether copolymer; Imide copolymer; Proton exchange
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2013.03.015

A series of semifluorinated sulfonated copoly(ether imide)s (co-SPI) was synthesized by one pot high temperature polycondensation reaction using a sulfonated diamine, 4,4′-diaminostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DSDSA), 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA) and a fluorinated quadri diamine (QA). The structures of the resulting co-SPIs were investigated by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The polymers had high molecular weight and gave tough, flexible and transparent membranes. Oxidative stability of the membranes was improved by introducing trifluoromethyl substituents in the copolymer structure and the copolymers also exhibited superior mechanical property higher than many other SPIs. The co-SPI membrane showed significantly high proton conductivity and low activation energy in water medium. Microscopic analyses revealed that well-dispersed hydrophilic domains contribute to better proton conducting properties. [Display omitted] •New sulfonated naphthalenic polyimide containing ether and trifluoromethyl groups.•Good dimensional and oxidative stability•Excellent mechanical strength and decent thermal stability•High proton conductivity up to 1.08 x 10-1 S/cm at 80 °C.