Polymer Thermoplastic Proton Conductors Based on PPO and PS Ionomer Blends

Two new proton‐conducting ionomers types were obtained based on poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene) oxide (PPO) and polystyrene (PS) with different ionic group contents. They were characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). From PPO and PS ionomers, binary blends of different compositions were prepared, the blend compatibility of the samples being assessed by means of DSC and DMA. Conducting properties of these materials were studied by means of complex impedance spectroscopy. In addition, water and methanol crossover through the different samples was measured, the results being compared with Nafion. The high conductivity and the low methanol permeability of some systems make them a valid alternative for application in fuel cells. Variation of the interaction parameter, χ12, for PPO‐SH III/PS‐SH III blends.