Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Cardo Poly(aryl ether sulfone) Containing Zwitterionic Side Groups as Novel Proton Exchange Membranes

Abstract

The sulfonated cardo poly(aryl ether sulfone) with zwitterionic side groups (PES-DS-70) was electrospun to bead-free nanofibers. The PES-DS-70 nanoporous mat was successfully filled with Nafion solution. Scanning electron microscopy observed that the PES-DS-70/Nafion composite membrane has bilayer morphology and good interfacial compatibility. Compared with the neat PES-DS-70, the PES-DS-70/Nafion bilayer membranes showed improved swelling resistance and proton conductivity. Moreover, methanol crossover of the composite film was suppressed due to incorporation of the PES-DS-70 nanofibers. The tensile strength and Young's modulus for the PES-DS-70/Nafion composite membranes were higher than Nafion117. Therefore, the composite membrane with superior combined properties has potential applications for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Synthesis and Properties of Copolyphenylene Sulphones with Cardo Fragments

“…In subsequent years, research in the field of carded polyesters has been extensively developed [12][13][14][15][16]. Moreover, most of the available scientific publications are devoted to the study of the synthesis and properties of cardo polyethersulfones based on 4,4 -dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, 4,4 -dioxyphthalophenone and 4,4 -dichlorodiphenylsulfone [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Copolymers with cardo fragments based on 4,4 -dihydroxydiphenyl are mentioned in the patent technical literature without a detailed description of their physicochemical properties [23,24].…”