Novel Aromatic Polymer Electrolyte with Comb-like Structure: Synthesis and Properties

Summary: A novel aromatic polymer electrolyte with pendant sulfodecyloxy groups was synthesized. The monomer 4, bis[2-(10′-sulfodecyloxy)-5-chlorophenyl]sulfone, was synthesized from bis(2‐hydroxy‐5‐chlorophenyl)sulfide via bromoalkylation, oxidation, and sulfonation, and then polymerized via Ni‐catalyzed C&bond;C coupling polymerization to afford the title polymer electrolyte 6. The polymer 6 was isolated as a brown powder with molecular weight of $\overline M _{\rm w}$ = 12 000. The high decomposition temperature of 6 (200 °C) was confirmed by TG/DTA‐MS measurement. Proton conductivity of 6 was measured using porous polyimide membrane as a supporting substrate. The pore‐filled membrane showed 1 × 10−5 S · cm−1 of the proton conductivity at 80 °C and 90% RH.Synthesis of aromatic polymer electrolyte having sulfodecyloxy groups via nickel-catalyzed C&bond;C coupling polymerization.