Hyperbranched-linear poly(ether sulfone) blend films for proton exchange membranes

Hyperbranched poly(ether sulfone) polymers having sulfonyl chloride end-groups is blended at up to 30 w% with linear poly(ether ether ether sulfone)s and a two-phase system is generated via spinodal decomposition upon drying from a DMAc solution. Conversion of the end-groups from sulfonyl chloride to sulfonic acid is accomplished using 16 M H2SO4 that is also believed to introduce additional sulfonic acid groups at the interface of the linear polymer. The blend films before and after conversion to sulfonic acid have similar tensile strengths as films composed of solely linear polymer (yield stress >40 MPa and Young's modulus >3 GPa m). These films are designed to test the viability of hyperbranched polymers as fuel cell membranes. Proton conductivities of up to 0.03 S cm−1 are observed at 80 °C and 90% R.H indicating a good potential for use of hyperbranched polymers as a proton conduction material.