Preparation and Performance of Sulfonated Poly(aryl ether ketone sulfone)/Poly(aryl ether sulfone oxadiazole) Composite Proton-exchange Membranes

A serious of sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone sulfone)/poly(aryl ether sulfone oxadiazole) composite membranes were prepared by solution blended method, to improve the performance of membranes for using in the condition of high-middle temperature (80-120 degrees C). These prepared membranes were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and exhibited high thermal stability and good chemical stability. The SEM images showed that the composite membranes had compact structure. The composite membranes had low methanol diffusion coefficient properties (3. 9x10(-7)-6. 6x10(-7) cm(2)/s), which were better than 8. 7x10(-7) cm(2)/s of SPAEKS. Although the composite membranes displayed lower proton conductivities than the pure copolymer membranes at room temperature, the presence of nitrogen heterocyclic led to an improvement in high-temperature conductivity. The proton conductivity of SPAEKS/PAESO was found to be 0. 074 S/cm at 100 degrees C, which was higher than 0.066 S/cm of SPAEKS.