Synthesis and characterization of novel sulfonated polyimides from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-naphthyl-2,7-disulfonic acid

A novel sulfonated diamine monomer, 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-naphthyl-2,7-disulfonic acid (BAPNDS), was synthesized. A series of sulfonated polyimide copolymers were prepared from BAPNDS, 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA) and nonsulfonated diamine 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA). Flexible, transparent, and mechanically strong membranes were obtained. The membranes displayed slightly anisotropic membrane swelling. The dimensional change in thickness direction was larger than that in planar. The novel SPI membranes showed higher conductivity, which was comparable or even higher than Nafion 117. Membranes exhibited methanol permeability from 0.24 × 10⁻⁶ to 0.80 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s at room temperature, which was much lower than that of Nafion (2 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s). The copolymers were thermally stable up to 340 °C. These preliminary results have proved its potential availability as proton-exchange membrane for PEMFCs or DMFCs.