Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Hybrid Copolymers as Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

The objective of this research was to prepare novel disulfonated bisphenol A tetrachlorocyclotriphosphazene poly(arylene ether sulfone) (BATCCP PAES-XX) hybrid copolymers to serve as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells (PEMFC).  The HCCP backbone allows for post modification of the polymer based on desired hydrophilic or hydrophobic groups. The two step synthesis route utilized first prepared BATCCP hybrid monomers from the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) with bisphenol A (Bis A).  The subsequent monomer will be reacted with disulfonated and unsulfonated dichlordiphenyl sulfone, SDCDPS and DCDPS respectively, to form BATCCP PAES-XX with varying degrees of sulfonation.  Characterization of the monomer structure and properties were accomplished using FTIR and NMR.