Synthesis and Exchange Properties of Sulfonated Poly(phenylene sulfide) with Alkali Metal Ions in Organic Solvents

Sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (SPPS) polymers were prepared by sulfonation of poly[methyl[4-(phenylthio) phenyl]sulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate] (PPST) with fumic sulfonic acid (10% $SO_3-H_2SO_4$) and demethylation with aqueous NaOH solution. The equilibrium constants of ion exchange reactions between alkali metal cations ($Li^+,\;Na^+,\;and\;K^+$) and SPPS ion exchanger in organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dioxane were measured. The equilibrium constants of ion exchange reactions increased as the polarity of the solvent increased, and the reaction temperature decreased. The equilibrium constants of the ion exchange reaction ($K_{eq}$) also increased in the order of $Li^+,\;Na^+,\;and\;K^+$. To elucidate the spontaneity of the exchange reaction in organic solvents, the enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy were calculated. The enthalpy of reaction ranged from -0.88 to -1.33 kcal/mol, entropy ranged from 1.42 to 4.41 cal/Kmol, and Gibbs free energy ranged from -1.03 to -2.55 kcal/mol. Therefore, the exchange reactions were spontaneous because the Gibbs free energies were negative. The SPPS ion exchanger and alkali metal ion bounding each other produced good ion exchange capability in organic solvents.