Abstract: A series of sulfonated poly(ether ether sulfone) (SMPEES) copolymers were synthesized via the aromatic nucleophilic polycondensation of disodium 3,3′disulfonate4,4′dichlorodiphenylsulfone(SDCDPS), 4,4′dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS) and omethylhydroquione. The structure of SMPEES copolymer was confirmed by FTIR. The SMPEES copolymers have high ion exchange capacity (IEC) because of omethylhydroquione itself simple structure, which results in a high proton conductivity in reactively low degree of sulfonation (DS). The copolymers have high molecular weights and exhibit a good thermal stability and solubility.

Key words: sulfonated, poly(ether ether sulfone), fuel cell, proton exchange membrane, omethylhydroquione