Sulfonated Polysulfone as Proton Conducting Membranes for Fuel cells

Membranes obtained from sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) are possible substitute for the perfluorosulfonic ionomer membranes used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). In this work a milder sulfonation process was used to produce proton-conducting polymer from a commercial polysulfone. Sulfonation levels from 20 to 80% were achieved by varying the mole ratio between sulfonating agent and the unit of polymers. Intrinsic viscosity measurements do not evidence chain cleavage and polymer degradation of sulfonated samples respect to base polysulfone.