A simple postsulfonation of poly(arylene ether sulfone) Radel® R

Commercially available Radel® R, a poorly acid resistant biphenol‐based poly(arylene ether sulfone), was successfully sulfonated by a simple and rapid postsulfonation reaction using oleum as the sulfonating agent. Polymer degradation due to contact with acid could easily be minimized by adjusting reaction conditions. The suitable reaction conditions, when the 1 : 3 molar ratio of the polymer to the sulfonating agent was used, were: 10% of oleum in chloroform, 10% concentration of Radel® R in chloroform, and temperature between 0 and 50°C. Under these conditions, the reaction was complete within 45 min. Thermal properties, degradation characteristics and the viscosity of the postsulfonated polymer are reported. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011