The research is focused on the synthesis and chemical characterization of thermostable polyelectrolyte poliethersulfone based (PESf), which can be applied in the energy sector such as fuel cells. The synthesis strategy for aromatic polycondensation leads to polyelectrolyte with a controlled degree of sulfonation using homemade sulfonated monomers or sulfonated PES oligomers - having- known structure and composition. The chemical composition and architecture of the final polymers are investigated either by (1H and 13C) NMR and Mass Spectrometry (particularly by MALDI-TOF MS) analyses, and also by FT-IR tools.
The thermal properties and thermal stability of sulfonated polymers are studied by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and TGA (thermogravimetry), respectively; the molecular weights are computed by SEC (size exclusion chromatography). The mechanical properties are investigated by DMA and rheometric measurements. To increase the stability of the sulfonated-PES, the polymer chains are also linked to the silica surface using appropriate linker.
People to contact: Filippo Samperi
PRIN 2007 - prot. 2007CNJTAH
"Development of selective polymeric membranes for gas separation: optimization by the integrated use of the synthesis, the characterization and the multiscale molecular modelling techniques"
List of selected publication:
F.Samperi, S.Battiato, C.Puglisi, V.Asarisi, A.Recca, G.Cicala, R.Mendichi
Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfonated Copolyethersulfones
Journal of Polymer Science part A: Polymer Chemistry 48, 3010-3023 (2010)
A.Mamo, A.Aureliano, S.Battiato, G.Cicala, F.Samperi, A.Scamporrino, A.Recca
Amino terminated copoly(ethersulphone)s bearing biphenylenic units in the backbone: Synthesis and characterization
Polymer 51(14), 2972-2983 (2010)
