Synthesis of polybenzimidazoles

Abstract

Recent progress in the synthesis of polybenzimidazole (PBI) derivatives is summarized for application as high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cells. Various designs in the polymer structure are described aiming at improvement of the membrane performance. The ways to produce PBI derivatives containing different functional groups, segments, or blocks of other macromolecules are classified as main-chain modification, copolymerization, and side-chain grafting. The synthetic routes and associated characterization methods particularly with respect to the polymer structures are also addressed.