Synthesis,characterization and investigation of proton exchange properties of sulfonated polytriazoles from a new semifluorinated diazide monomer

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of a new series of semifluorinated sulfonated polytriazole copolymers (PTATSH‐XX) with varying degree of sulfonation and higher IEC. The copolymers have been prepared by click reaction using a combination of diazide monomers; a newly synthesized diazide monomer namely 4,4‐bis3‐trifluoromethyl‐4(4‐azidophenoxy)phenyl]benzene (TAZ) and a commercially available diazide monomer namely 4,4′‐diazido‐2,2′‐stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt (DADSDB) with a bis‐alkyne monomer namely 4,4′‐(propane‐2,2‐diyl)bis((prop‐2‐ynyloxy)benzene) (BPEBPA). The copolymers are well characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy and have exhibited good solubility and film forming abilities along with good thermal and chemical stability, low water uptake, good dimensional stability and high mechanical properties. The TEM micrographs of the copolymer membranes show good phase separated morphology with cluster size in the range 10–60 nm. The proton conductivity values of the copolymer membranes are found in the range of 15–90 mS cm^?1 at 80°C and 16–97 mS cm^?1 at 90°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:312–323, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers