Effects of Time and Temperature of Poly Ether Ether Ketonesulfonation (sPEEK) on The Solubility of sPEEK in Dimethylacetamide

Abstract

This work aims at investigating the effects of time and temperature of PEEK sulfonation on the solubility of sulfonated PEEK (sPEEK) in the solvent of dimethylacetamide (DMAc), as a part of manufacturing Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell. Using direct method, PEEK was sulfonated in high concentrations of sulfuric acid at temperature variations of 30, 50, and 70°C, for the period of times of 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Higher temperature and longer time of sulfonation resulted in finer size of sPEEK deposites. As predicted, the solubility tests showed that the finer sPEEK was dissolved better in DMAc.