A novel sulfonated dendritic polymer as the acidic component in proton conducting membranes

The present study involves the synthesis of sulfonated poly(3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane), sPTMPO, by end-capping the hydroxy-groups in the PTMPO with 1,4-butane sultone. A series of the polymer with different degrees of substitution was investigated. Furthermore, the subsequent use of the sulfonated PTMPO as the acidic component in proton conducting membranes was explored. The membranes were prepared by either a) mixing the partly sulfonated PTMPO with hexamethoxymethyl melamine (HMMM) to form cross-links by ether formation between the methylol groups on HMMM and the remaining hydroxyl groups on the hyperbranched polyether or b) using the sulfonated polyether in conjunction with a pyridine functionalised polysulfone, PSU-pyridine, to produce acid–base blend membranes. Membrane properties such as proton conductivity, water uptake and mechanical properties are discussed.