Polymer proton‐conduction systems based on commercial polymers. I. Synthesis and characterization of hydrogenated styrene–butadiene block copolymer and isobutylene isoprene rubber systems

Abstract

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of two nonfluorinated proton‐conducting polymer systems, one consisting of a hydrogenated styrene–butadiene rubber (HSBR) block copolymer and the other consisting of an HSBR blend with isobutylene isoprene rubber for the improved mechanical stability of the final product. The films obtained were crosslinked, sulfonated, and microstructurally and electrically characterized. In addition, water and methanol crossover was determined, the results being compared with those of Nafion 117. The properties measured in the different samples confirmed that these systems may constitute a valid alternative to commercial membranes, being low‐cost and less polluting and having a lower methanol crossover. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2809–2815, 2003

Nanostructure, Morphology, and Properties of Fluorous Copolymers Bearing Ionic Grafts

“…The polymerization reaction was carried out at 110°C under a nitrogen blanket. Polymer samples were periodically removed from the reaction flask using a syringe after 8,16, and 24 h. The polymer samples were diluted with THF, purified by passing through a column of alumina, and then precipitated into methanol. Homopolymer of polystyrene was removed by washing repeatedly with cyclohexane.…”

“…Over the past decade, significant research effort has been devoted to the design of alternate membrane materials with the intention of improving properties and lowering cost. [2][3][4][5][6][7] A wide variety of different polymer systems have been examined including perfluorinated ionomers, 5,8 partially fluorinated ionomers, [9][10][11][12][13][14] polystyrene-based systems, [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] poly(arylene ether)s, [23][24][25][26][27][28] polyimides, [29][30][31][32][33] polybenzimidazoles, [34][35][36][37] and polyphosphazenes. [38][39][40][41] Despite this growing body of research, there exists a void in our understanding of fundamental structure-property relationships of PEMs in terms of the role of microstructure on morphology and the role of morphology on a membrane's property.…”

Hybrid membranes based on block co-polymer ionomers and silica gel. Synthesis and characterization

“…In this sense, our group has been working on the synthesis and characterization of ionomers based on block co-polymers like an alternative to the commercial membrane Nafion [9][10][11][12]. Block co-polymers are constituted by two or more polymers blocks, placed throughout the same chain following an ordered sequence.…”

Well-defined block copolymer ionomers and their blend membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

“…Especially, sulfonated styrene containing di-and triblock copolymers have attracted much attention since block copolymer ionomers can be readily obtained through sulfonation of phenyl rings of PS block. These include mostly non-fluorinated block copolymers such as sulfonated hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymers [9], sulfonated poly(styrene-(ethylene-co-butylene)-styrene (S-SEBS) [10], sulfonated poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (S-SIBS) [11], sulfonated polystyrene-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane) [12], polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-alt-propylene) (PS-PEP) [13]. The synthetic methodology utilized for the fabrication of block copolymer ionomers is another important aspect since the macromolecular structure directly affects the microphase separation.…”