Alternative Trifluorovinyl Ether Derived Fluoropolymer Membranes and Functionalized Carbon Composite Electrodes for Fuel Cells

An alternative fluoropolymer and carbon composite materials approach for proton exchange membrane (PEM) applications is reviewed based on non‐PFSA polymers derived from unique trifluorovinyl ether (TVE) compounds. Radical polymerization and copolymerization of perfluoroalkyl TVE monomers give perfluoroalkylsulfonyl imide ionomers which behave similarly to Nafion™ membranes, yet demonstrate higher acidity and greater stability. Aromatic TVE monomers incorporating the perfluoroalkylsulfonimide functionality undergo thermal step‐growth polymerization to perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers and unique ionomers. PFCB containing sulfonated polyarylene ether sulfone ionomers, as well as directly sulfonated PFCB polymers have been synthesized in a prefunctionalization method. Designed carbon/fluoropolymer composite electrodes with porous architectures and covalently attached fluoropolymers are also reviewed.

Keywords:

• carbon electrode
• fluoropolymer
• fuel cell
• ionomer
• perfluorocyclobutane
• sulfonimide

Acknowledgements

We would like to gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Department of Energy (BES), (CHE 0518302 to D.D) and the National Science Foundation (DMI‐0303645 to SC, DMR‐0514622 to DS). D. Smith is a Cottrell Scholar of Research Corporation.