Preparation and characterization of sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone ketone sulfone)s for ion exchange membranes

Sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone ketone sulfone)s (SPAEKKS) copolymers were prepared by aromatic nucleophilic polycondesation. The SPAEKKS membranes were characterization using FT-IR, DSC, TGA and TEM. The water uptake, IEC, transport parameters (H+, Na+ and K+), oxidative and thermal stability and mechanical strength of membranes were comprehensively investigated. This study found that the SPAEKKS-4 showed a good combination of the ion diffusion coefficient (DH+: 1.01×10−10;DNa+: 5.85×10−11; DK+: 1.68×10−10), excellent mechanical strength (tensile strength: 55.3MPa; tensile modulus: 1.74 GPa), acceptable water uptake (26-54 wt%), favourable oxidative stability (oxidative stability time reached 29 h) and good thermal properties (Tg above 300°C, Td5% above 270°C). It suggested that the SPAEKKS membrane was promising for possible use as an ion exchange membrane.