A series of sterically-encumbered, sulfonated, poly (arylene ether) copolymers were synthesized and their proton conductivity examined. RH. Proton conductivities ranged between 0.24 to 16 mS/cm at 80 C/60% RH, and 3 to 167 mS/cm at 80 C/95% RH. TEM analysis of the polymers, in the dehydrated state, revealed isolated spherical aggregates of ions, which presumably coalesce when hydrated to provide highly conductive pathways. The strategy of using highly-encumbered polymer frameworks for the design of mechanically-robust and dimensionally-stable proton conducting membranes is demonstrated.
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