Partially Fluorinated and Tetrasulfonated Poly(arylene biphenylsulfone) Block Coploymers for Fuel Cell Membranes and Their Major Characteristics

The proton exchange membrane is one of the key materials of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Among the different types of membranes, Nafion has been primarily used as a standard PEMFC membrane. However, the high cost, low glass transition temperature, and environmental incompatibility of the membranes have impeded the widespread commercialization of PEMFCs. In order to overcome these demerits, a number of alternative membranes have been developed for use in PEMs.1 Recently, to improve physical and electrochemical properties the precise control of morphology has been suggested as a strategy. Mutiblock copolymer containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments were developed t