The synthesis and characteristics of soluble PAES/PEES copolymers for heat resistant ion exchange membrane

Abstract

The poly(arylene ether sulfone)/poly(ether ether sulfone) (PAES/PEES) copolymers were synthesized to obtain the precursors for ion exchange membrane with thermal stability and adsorption capacity of metal ions. PAES/PEES copolymers were prepared by the condensation polymerization of bisphenol-A, hydroquinone and dichlorodiphenylsulfone in dimethylacetamide (DMAc), changing the molar ratio of these monomers. After the synthesis was completed, these copolymers were sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid. The sulfonation was confirmed by the bands of O=S=O adsorption of SO3Na group at 1152 cm(-1) and S-C vibration at 624 similar to 710 cm(-1) by FT-IR spectra. According to the results of the TGA, the weight loss of sulfonated PAES/PEES copolymers was less than unmodified PAES/PEES copolymers. The sulfonated PAES/PEES copoymers had a good adsorption capacity for Cu2+ ion and pH 6, especially.