Cross-linked sulfonated poly(phathalazinone ether ketone)s for PEM fuel cell application as proton-exchange membrane

The cross-linkable sulfonated ploy(arylene ether)s derived from 3,3′-diallyl-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl, bisphthalazinone, 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone (DFBP) and sulfonated 4,4′-diflourobenzophenone (SDFBP) were synthesized over a wide range of DFBP/SDFBP molar ratios. The resulting sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s with high inherent viscosity (1.02–1.29 dL g−1) are soluble in polar organic solvents and can form flexible and transparent membranes by casting from their solution. Cross-linking reaction was carried out using the thermal activated radical cross-linking agent (TARC) at 140 °C. The comprehensive properties of the virgin and the cross-linked membranes were compared accordingly. The results showed that the cross-linked membranes revealed the better mechanical, oxidative and dimensional stabilities together with high proton conductivity (9.675 × 10−3 S cm−1) at 25 °C under 100% relative humidity.