ION-CONDUCTING SULFONATED POLYMERIC MATERIALS

摘要

Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers ma y include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed in to membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed form the sulfonated polymers exhibi t improved properties over that of Nafion.RTM.. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to th e sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100 ~C, and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.