Synthesis and Properties of Benzimidazole Group-Containing Sulfonated Polyimide Proton Exchange Membranes

Abstract

Abstract: A series of benzimidazole groupcontaining sulfonated polyimides (ImSPIs) were synthesized by condensation polymerization of 1,4,5,8naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA), two sulfonated diamines, 5amino(2(4aminophenyl)benzimidazole (APABI) and 9,9bis(4aminophenyl)fluorene (BAPF) in mcresol at 180 °C for 20 h. By controlling the molar ratio between the sulfonated diamine and other diamine monomers, ImSPIs with different IECs were obtained. Membranes with good mechanical strength were fabricated by solution cast method. These ImSPI membranes display high proton conductivities at high relative humidities which are comparable or higher than that of Nafion. The incorporation of imidazole groups to polymer structure results in significant improvement in radical oxidative stability but has little effect on the water stability of the membranes.

Key words: proton exchange membrane, fuel cell, sulfonated polyimide, benzimidazole group, proton conductivity

CLC Number:

O 633.2

XU Hong, XU Fan, ZHANG Gui-Mei, MA Rui, GUO Xiao-Xia, FANG Jian-Hua. Synthesis and Properties of Benzimidazole Group-Containing Sulfonated Polyimide Proton Exchange Membranes [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2012, 46(03): 498-503.

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