| abstract |
The invention relates generally to polymers derived from monomers having aromatic superacidic functional groups. The superacidic functional groups comprise fluorinated sulfonate moieties. Polymers provided by the present invention include polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyestercarbonates, polyetherketones, and polyethersulfones among others. The polymers provided by the present invention include block and random copolymers. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a polyetherketone-polyethersulfone block copolymer comprising superacidic functional groups. Polymers comprising superacidic functional groups are useful materials in membrane applications. The superacidic functional groups present in the new polymer compositions impart excellent proton conductivities. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymers useful as materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes. |