Hydrophilic–hydrophobic diblock copolymers based on polyphenylenes for cathode ionomers of fuel cells

Abstract

Polyphenylene-based hydrophilic–hydrophobic diblock copolymers were developed and used as ionomers in the catalyst layers (CLs) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The introduction of aliphatic side chains into the polymer backbone provided high oxygen transport properties in the CLs and high overall performance of the fuel cells.