title: Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene-poly(arylene ether sulfone)-polystyrene triblock copolymer for proton exchange membrane applications.
abstract: The polystyrene-poly(arylene ether sulfone)-polystyrene (PS-PAES-PS) coil-semirod-coil triblock copolymer was synthesized by the condensation reaction of PS-COCI and H2N-PAES-NH2 telechelic polymers. The reaction was facile characterized by high yields with a perfect control over the block lengths. Following a known reaction protocol it was possible to selectively sulfonate the PS block of the triblock copolymer that led to the sulfonated copolymer sPS-PAES-sPS. Studies on its proton conductivity and methanol permeability were carried out to evaluate its use as the proton exchange membrane in direct methanol fuel cells. Proton conductivity of the membranes was increased depending on the sulfonic acid group content in the sulfonated polymer. The membranes exhibited good dimensional and thermal stability, and low methanol permeability compared to Nafion 117.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Nano Technology Research Center, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 1 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500712, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Young Talk
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jae-Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008566:Membranes / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002712:Chlorides; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011522:Protons; D014867:Water; D013455:Sulfur; D000432:Methanol