A Study of Linear versus Kinked Bulky Polymers for Proton Exchange Membranes Using Sulfonated Polyimides

Linear and kinked bulky monomers were incorporated into the main chain of a polyimide in order to investigate the effect of kinked versus linear polymers on membrane properties such as water uptake and proton conductivity. Polymers prepared using linear 1,4-bis (4-aminophenoxy)-naphthyl-2,7-disulfonic acid (BAPNDS), SPI-N, and using kinked 2,2’-bis (p-aminophenoxy)-1,1’-binaphthyl-6,6’-disulfonic acid (BNDADS), SPI-BN, were cast into membranes. All the copolymers showed excellent solubility and good film-forming capability. Membranes are thermally stable up to 300 °C under air. For SPI-BN, the nonplanar binaphthyl group result in polymer chain relaxation and produce large water uptake. However, the conductivity of kinked, SPI-BN membranes is lower than those prepared from SPI-N for a given IEC but water uptakes are higher. This might be related to substitution position of the sulfonic acid groups and the microstructure. Sulfonic acid group were located at the same side of the main chain will be favorable for forming hydrophilic clusters, thus better proton conductivity performance would be achieved.