Study of polymer blend membranes composed of sulfonated polysulfone and PEO-grafted aromatic polyether with controllable morphology

• Blends of sulfonated polysulfone and copolymers with PEO side chains were prepared.
• The miscibility behavior was examined by DMA and ATR-IR spectroscopy.
• Partial miscibility led to phase separation with well defined morphologies.
• The swelling ability was controlled by the SPSF content and morphology.
• Ionic conductivities up to 2 × 10−2 S/cm at 80 °C were obtained.

Polymer blends based on random copolymers composed of sulfonated aromatic polysulfone and aromatic polyethers grafted with poly(ethylene oxide) chains have been prepared and studied. The miscibility behavior was examined using dynamic mechanical analysis and ATR-IR spectroscopy. Partial miscibility leading to phase separation with well defined morphologies was obtained in some cases while membranes with controlled water uptake and swelling ability were formed. Selected membranes were studied in respect to their ionic conductivity, exploring the possibility for further application to electrochemical devices.

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