Synthesis and transport properties of thin film composite membranes. I. Synthesis of poly(phenylene oxide) polymer and its sulfonation
Abstract
The synthesis of sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide) polymer was investigated. The poly(phenylene oxide) was synthesized through oxidative coupling from 2,6-dimethyl-phenol with copper (I) chloride-pyridine catalyst and sulfonated using chlorosulfonic acid. The effects of catalyst concentration, solvent, and other experimental variables on the kinetics of the polymerization of poly(phenylene oxide) and its subsequent sulfonation are reported in detail.