Oligomeric A2+ B3synthesis of highly branched polysulfone ionomers: novel candidates for ionic polymer transducers
Abstract
Highly branched poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with systematically varied degrees of branching and sulfonation were synthesized through oligomeric A2+ B3methods for application as ionic polymer transducer (IPT) membranes. IPTs are a class of electroactive polymer devices that leverage ionomeric membranes to perform electromechanical transduction as actuators and/or sensors. Synthesis of controlled molecular weight A2oligomeric polysulfones targeted the global degree of branching (DBglobal) to approximately 1–3% in the absence of gelation. Size exclusion chromatography confirmed molecular weights greater than 20 000 g mol−1were achieved for linear and branched polysulfones. Increased degree of sulfonation of the A2oligomers reduced the development of molecular weight in the oligomeric A2+ B3branching reaction; the formation of tough, flexible, ion‐conducting membranes is required for emerging transducer applications. Variation in the DBglobalattained did not affect the thermal transitions or elastic modulus as significantly as changes in the degree of sulfonation. However, an ionic dissociation temperature was detected below the glass transition temperature of the polysulfone matrix and was relatively independent of the degree of sulfonation. Successful synthesis and characterization of these well‐defined branched polysulfone ionomers provide a basis for future investigation of polymer topology effects on IPT performance. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Sep 24, 2009
- Source ID
- 10.1002/pi.2684
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Duncan
- Donald J. Leo
- John M Layman
- Matthew P Cashion
- Timothy E. Long
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- National Science Foundation
- United States Army Research Laboratory