Synthesis and Properties of Sulfonated Aromatic Fluoro-Polymers

Polycondensation of perfluorobiphenyl with alpha,alpha-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylbenzene and/or 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene was investigated. The polycondensation of perfluorobiphenyl with alpha,alpha-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethylbenzene and/or 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene proceeded at low-temperature to a give high-molecular weight and thermal stable polymers. The (19)F-NMR spectra of the polymers indicate that the polymers consists of predominantly 1,4-phenylene structure with respect to the perfluoro-aromatic compound. The sulfonation of the polymers obtained from the polycondensation occurred at the phenyl groups and fluorenyl side chain. A tough and smooth film was prepared by a casting method from DMF solution of the sulfonated polymer. The films showed hydrolytic and oxidative stabilities, and a high-proton conductivity. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 1582-1588, 2010