Synthesis of highly sulfonated polystyrene-based block copolymers soluble in tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

Polystyrene-block-polyisoprene with hydrogenated polyisoprene block (Shellvs 50) was sulfonated to a high degree (up to 42 mol% of styrene units) using acetyl sulfate as sulfonation agent in various chlorinated solvents. Membranes were prepared from the tetrahydrofuran solution of the sulfonated copolymer by casting. The membranes were characterized by conductivity and SAXS measurements.