Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Chemistry
Date of Award
8-2021
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Hua Mei
Committee Members
Cassandra Eagle, Robert Standaert
Abstract
My research goals are to synthesize new zwitterionic perfluorosulfonimide (PFSI) monomer/polymers. They are expected to replace traditionally used perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers as the electrolyte in PEM fuel cells. For the PFSI monomer preparation, we designed a nine-step synthesis route. Thus far, I have successfully completed the synthesis of 4- (2-bromotetrafluoroethoxy)-benzenesulfonyl amide, 4-acetoxybenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt, and 4-chlorosulfonyl phenyl acetate. The coupling reaction of 4-(2-bromotetrafluoroethoxy)- benzenesulfonyl amide with 4-chlorosulfonyl phenyl acetate, was troublesome due to slow reaction kinetics and byproducts. Additionally, I did a methodology study for the homopolymerziation of the perfluoro 3(oxapent-4-ene) sulfonyl fluoride monomer. We compared the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of different reaction conditions. The best Mw was achieved when the polymerization was carried out for five days at 100 °C and150 psi with 2 wt % initiator and 5 g of monomer. All the compounds were characterized by melting point, GC-MS, GPC, FT-IR, and 13C/1H/19F NMR.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Marshall, Josiah, "Synthesis of the Diazonium Zwitterionic Polymer/Monomer for Use as the Electrolyte in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3968. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3968
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.