Novel Polymer Electrolyte Membrane, Based on Pyridine Containing Poly(ether sulfone), for Application in High‐Temperature Fuel Cells

Summary: Novel poly(aryl ether sulfone) copolymers containing 2,5-biphenylpyridine and tetramethyl biphenyl moieties were synthesized by polycondensation of 4-fluorophenyl sulfone with 2,5-(4′,4″ dihydroxy biphenyl)pyridine and tetramethyl biphenyl diol. Copolymers with different molecular weights and different monomer compositions were obtained. These copolymers exhibit excellent film-forming properties, mechanical integrity, and high modulus up to 250 °C, high glass transition temperatures (above 280 °C) as well as high thermal stability up to 400 °C. In addition to the above properties required for PEMFC application, this novel material shows high oxidative stability and acid doping ability, enabling proton conductivity in the range of 10−2 S · cm−1 above 130 °C. Synthesis of copolymers with high acid uptake and ionic conductivity.