In order to gain proton exchange membranes with high proton conductivity and stability

a series of side-chain type sulfonated fluorinated poly(aryl ether) copolymers (sSPFAEs) are prepared by attaching di-sulfonated naphthanoyl pendants to the fluoro-containing poly(aryl ether) backbone

subsequently solution cast into sSPFAE membranes and characterized.The obtained membranes with ion exchange capacity of 1.42~2.03 mmol/g are transparent and ductile

exhibiting Young's modulus higher than 1.0 GPa and elongations at break of 66%~105%.Water absorbing and swelling behavior tests indicate that the obtained sSPFAE membranes have rather low water uptakes and good dimensional stability.In the testing temperature range of 30~90℃

their water uptakes are about 21%~51% while the swelling ratios less than 7%.They also show considerably good thermal and oxidative stability

the weight losses are no more than 5% at 320~360℃ in TGA tests and below 2% after the Fenton's tests at 80℃ for 1 h

respectively.Moreover

the obtained sSPFAE membranes have fairly high proton conductivity

for example

the proton conductivity reaches 217 mS/cm at 80℃ for the membrane of sSPFAE-0.8 (IEC=2.03 mmol/g).