Series of partially fluorinated sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s were synthesized through nucleophilic substitution polycondensation from three types of diols and superhydrophobic tetra-trifluoromethyl-substituted difluoro monomers with postsulfonation to obtain densely sulfonated ionomers. The membranes had similar ion exchange capacities of 2.92 ± 0.20 mmol g⁻¹ and favorable mechanical properties (Young’s moduli of 1.60–1.83 GPa). The membranes exhibited considerable dimensional stability (43.1–122.3% change in area and 42.1–61.5% change in thickness at 80 °C) and oxidative stability (~55.5%). The proton conductivity of the membranes, higher (174.3–301.8 mS cm⁻¹) than that of Nafion 211 (123.8 mS cm⁻¹), was the percent conducting volume corresponding to the water uptake. The membranes were observed to comprise isolated to tailed ionic clusters of size 15–45 nm and 3–8 nm, respectively, in transmission electron microscopy images. A fuel cell containing one such material exhibited high single-cell performance—a maximum power density of 1.32 W cm² and current density of >1600 mA cm⁻² at 0.6 V. The results indicate that the material is a candidate for proton exchange membranes in fuel cell applications.

Calcination reduction reaction is used to prepare Pt/EB (emeraldine base)-XC72 (Vulcan carbon black) composites as the cathode material of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The EB-XC72 core-shell composite obtained from directly polymerizing aniline on XC72 particles is able to chelate and capture the Pt-ions before calcination. X-ray diffraction spectra demonstrate Pt particles are successfully obtained on the EB-XC72 when the calcined temperature is higher than 600 °C. Micrographs of TEM and SEM illustrate the affluent, Pt nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on EB-XC72 at 800 °C (Pt/EB-XC72/800). More Pt is deposited on Pt/EB-XC72 composite as temperatures are higher than 600 °C. The Pt/EB-XC72/800 catalyst demonstrates typical type of a cyclic voltammograms (C-V) curve of a Pt-catalyst with clear Pt–H oxidation and Pt–O reduction peaks. The highest number of transferred electrons during ORR approaches 3.88 for Pt/EB-XC72/800. The maximum power density of the single cell based on Pt/EB-XC72/800 reaches 550 mW cm⁻².

In this study, a series of high molecular weight ionomers of hexaarylbenzene- and fluorene-based poly(arylene ether)s were synthesized conveniently through condensation and post-sulfonation modification. The use a of blending method might increase the stacking density of chains and affect the formation both of interchain and intrachain proton transfer clusters. Multiscale phase separation caused by the dissolution and compatibility differences of blend ionomer in high-boiling-point solvents was examined through analysis and simulations. The blend membranes produced in this study exhibited a high proton conductivity of 206.4 mS cm⁻¹ at 80 °C (increased from 182.6 mS cm⁻¹ for precursor membranes), excellent thermal resistance (decomposition temperature > 200 °C), and suitable mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 73.8–77.4 MPa. As a proton exchange membrane for fuel cell applications, it exhibits an excellent power efficiency of approximately 1.3 W cm⁻². Thus, the ionomer membranes have strong potential for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells and other electrochemical applications.

This study fabricated a composite ePTFE-backed proton-exchange membrane by filling the pores on the ePTFE backing with sulfonated polyarylene ethers through an externally supplied electric field. The morphology changes were observed under an SEM. The results suggested that the application of an electric field had led to the effective filling of pores by polymers. In addition, the composite membrane featured good dimensional stability and swelling ratio, and its water uptake, proton conductivity and component efficiency increased with voltage. It is found in this study that the external application of an electric field resulted in the effective filling of pores in the ePTFE by sulfonated polyarylene ether polymers and, thus, an improved composite membrane performance.

An acid treatment is used in the enhancement of the conductivity of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin film, which is often used as the anode in organic solar cells. There are three types of acid treatment for PEDOT:PSS thin film: hydrochloric, sulfuric, and phosphoric acid treatments. In this study, we examine and compare these three ways with each other for differences in conductivity. Hydrochloric acid results in the highest conductivity enhancement, from 0.3 to 1109 S/cm. We also discuss the optical transmittance, conductivity, surface roughness, surface morphology, and stability, as well as the factors that can influence device efficiency. The devices are fabricated using an acid-treated PEDOT:PSS thin film as the anode. The highest power conversion efficiency was 1.32%, which is a large improvement over that of the unmodified organic solar cell (0.21%). It is comparable to that obtained when using indium tin oxide (ITO) as an electrode, ca. 1.46%.