Simple and Effective Cross-Linking Technology for the Preparation of Cross-Linked Membranes Composed of Highly Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) and Poly(arylene ether sulfone) for Fuel Cell Applications

Cross-linking technology has been considered as one of the effective strategies for improving the physicochemical stability of proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) for fuel cell applications. However, the complicated procedure, which consists of various reagents and multiple steps to form the proton-conducting cross-linked membranes, has been known to be disadvantageous to increasing the application of the cross-linking method. In this study, we present a simple and effective cross-linking technology for the development of high-performance cross-linked PEMs without any tedious chemical processes and catalysts or additives. A series of cross-linked membranes could be prepared by a simple one-step stage of casting and heating the mixture of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution, where DMSO works as t…