Superacids
The term "superacid" is an acid having an acidity greater than 100% sulfuric acid. The superacid may have two or more acid groups, such as a super diacid or different organic super diacid structural units may be copolymerized with non-acid monomer units to form an alternating, random, or block copolymer strand. Organic super diacid structural units may be present in hydrophilic polymer block segments that are subsequently linked with one or more suitable hydrophobic monomers or polymer block segments to form a linear or branched n-block copolymer strand. (RDC 7/19/2011) [Capehart et al, US Patent 7,863,402 (1/5/2011)]]
Recent US Patents
1/4/2011
7,863,402
Organic superacids, polymers derived from organic superacids, and methods of making and using the same
Capehart et al of GM, Michigan, have developed a proton exchange membrane for use in a variety of fuel cells. The proton exchange membrane may comprise a solid phase organic based copolymer material in which a first structural unit is derived from a polymerizable organic super acid. The organic super acid may comprise an acid group such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group. (RDC 7/18/2011)
Recent Journal Articles
Polyimide ionomer containing superacid groups
( 1305–1310)Polymers for Advanced Technologies 22 #8 (2011)
Saito et al of the University of Yamanashi, Japan, synthesized sulfonated polyimide (SPI) copolymer containing pendant perfluorosulfonic acid group. 2-(2,4-Diaminophenoxy)-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid was synthesized from 2,4-diaminophenol dihydrochloride via acetylation, perfluoroalkylation, and sulfonation. Polycondensation of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, monomer , and 3,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole produced the polyimide (RDC 7/29/2011)