Synthesis and proton conductivity studies of methacrylate/methacrylamide‐based azole functional novel polymer electrolytes

Anhydrous polymer electrolytes based on azole functional methacrylates and methacrylamides have been produced for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Poly(methacryloyl chloride) (PMAC) was prepared first by free‐radical polymerization of methacryloyl chloride, followed by side chain functionalization with 5‐aminotetrazole (ATet), 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (ATri) and 1H‐1,2,4‐triazole (Tri). Finally, the obtained polymers were doped with triflic acid (TA) at stoichometric ratios of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 with respect to azole units, and the anhydrous polymer electrolytes were obtained. The membranes were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹³C‐NMR, and elemental analysis. Thermal behaviour of polymers was explored by TGA and DSC. The samples were thermally stable up to approximately 200 ^oC. Proton conductivity was measured by impedance spectroscopy. Trifilic acid doped poly(methacryloyl aminotetrazole) (PMAATet‐(TA)₄), poly(methacryloyl‐3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole) (PMA‐Tri‐(TA)₄), and poly(methacryloyl‐1,2,4‐triazole) (PMA‐ATri‐(TA)₄) showed maximum proton conductivities of 0.01 Scm^?1, 0.02 Scm^?1 and 8.7x10^?4 Scm^?1, respectively, at 150^°C and anhydrous conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39915.