Synthesis and characterization of tetrafluorophenyl phosphonic acid functionalized polyacrylates as potential proton conducting materials in fuel cells.

Novel acrylate polymers functionalized with tetrafluorophenyl phosphonic acid groups were prepared by free radical polymerization of phosphonic ester acrylate monomers. Liberation of the free acid functions was realized by ester cleavage with Me3SiBr and the subsequent hydrolysis with methanol. The obtained polymers were analyzed by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The ion exchange capacity of the phosphonic acid functionalized methacrylate polymer was determined to 2.8 mmol/g by titration with 0.1 M NaOH. The proton conductivity under anhydrous conditions was determined to 6.84 × 10−6 Scm−1 at 120°C by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]