Sulfonated polyphenyl ether by electropolymerization

Electropolymerization of sulfonated phenol was for the first time achieved and studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry on stainless steel substrates. The obtained sulfonated polyphenyl ether was characterized in terms of impedance spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Dense films of micrometer thickness can be obtained; the proton conductivity is about 3 mS/cm at room temperature.

► Sulfonated polyphenyl ether was for the first time electropolymerized.
► This technique allows the economical preparation of ionomeric membranes for electrochemical energy technologies.
► The mechanism of electropolymerization was discussed in detail.