Historical

The simplest polysulfone poly(phenylene sulfone), known as early as 1960, is produced in a Friedel-Crafts reaction from benzenesulfonyl chloride:^[3]

n C₆H₅SO₂Cl → (C₆H₄SO₂)_n + n HCl

With a melting point over 500 °C, the product is difficult to process. It exhibits attractive heat resistance, but its mechanical properties are rather poor. Polyarylether sulphones (PAES) represent a suitable alternative. Appropriate synthetic routes to PAES were developed almost simultaneously, and yet independently, from 3M Corporation,^[4] Union Carbide Corporation in the United States,^[5] and ICI's Plastics Division^[6] in the United Kingdom. The polymers found at that time are still used today, but produced by a different synthesis process.

The original synthesis of PAES involved electrophilic aromatic substitution of an diaryl ether with the bis (sulfonyl chloride) of benzene. Reactions typically use a Friedel-Crafts catalyst, such as ferric chloride or antimony pentachloride:

n O(C₆H₅)₂ + n SO2Cl2 → {[O(C₆H₄)₂]SO₂}_n + 2n HCl

This route is complicated by the formation of isomers arising from both para- and ortho- substitution. Furthermore, cross-linking was observed, which strongly affects the mechanical properties of the polymer.^[7][4] This method has been abandoned.

Contemporary production methods

PAES are currently prepared by a polycondensation reaction of diphenoxide and bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone (DCDPS). The sulfone group activates the chloride groups toward substitution. The required diphenoxide is produced in situ from a diphenol and sodium hydroxide. The cogenerated water is removed by azeotropic distillation using toluene or chlorobenzene). The polymerization is carried out at 130–160 °C under inert conditions in a polar, aprotic solvent, e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide, forming a polyether concomitant with elimination of sodium chloride:

Bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone can be used in place of bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone. The difluoride is more reactive than the dichloride but more expensive. Through chain terminators (e.g. methyl chloride), the chain length can be controlled for melt-processing.

The diphenol is typically bisphenol-A or 1,4-dihydroxybenzene. Such step polymerizations require highly pure monomer and precise stoichiometry to ensure high molecular weight products.^[8]

DCDPS is the precursor to polymers known as Udel (from bisphenol A), PES, and Radel R. Udel is a high-performance amorphous sulfone polymer that can molded into a variety of different shapes. It is both rigid and temperature-resistant, and has applications in everything from plumbing pipes, to printer cartridges, to automobile fuses. DCDPS also reacts with bisphenol S to form PES. Like Udel, PES is a rigid and thermally-resistant material with numerous applications.

Structure-property relationship

Poly(aryl ether sulfone)s are composed of aromatic groups, ether groups and sulfonyl groups. For a comparison of the properties of individual constituents poly(phenylene sulfone) can serve as an example, which consists of sulfonyl and phenyl groups only. Since both groups are thermally very stable, poly(phenylene sulfone) has an extremely high melting temperature (520 °C). However, the polymer chains are also so rigid that poly(phenylene sulfone) (PAS) decomposes before melting and can thus not be thermoplastically processed. Therefore, flexible elements must be incorporated into the chains, this is done in the form of ether groups. Ether groups allow a free rotation of the polymer chains. This leads to a significantly reduced melting point and also improves the mechanical properties by an increased impact strength.^[7] The alkyl groups in bisphenol A act also as a flexible element.

The stability of the polymer can also be attributed to individual structural elements: The sulfonyl group (in which sulfur is in the highest possible oxidation state) attracts electrons from neighboring benzene rings, causing electron deficiency. The polymer therefore opposes further electron loss, thus substantiating the high oxidation resistance. The sulfonyl group is also linked to the aromatic system by mesomerism and the bond therefore strengthened by mesomeric energy. As a result, larger amounts of energy from heat or radiation can be absorbed by the molecular structure without causing any reactions (decomposition). The result of the mesomerism is that the configuration is particularly rigid. Based on the biphenylsulfonyl group, the polymer is thus durable heat resistant, oxidation resistant and still has a high stiffness even at elevated temperatures. The ether bond provides (as opposed to esters) hydrolysis resistance as well as some flexibility, which leads to impact strength. In addition, the ether bond leads to good heat resistance and better flow of the melt.^[12]

Membranes

Polysulfone allows easy manufacturing of membranes, with reproducible properties and controllable size of pores down to 40 nanometers. Such membranes can be used in applications like hemodialysis, waste water recovery, food and beverage processing, and gas separation. These polymers are also used in the automotive and electronic industries. Filter cartridges made from polysulfone membranes offer extremely high flow rates at very low differential pressures when compared with nylon or polypropylene media.

Polysulfone can be used as filtration media in filter sterilization.

Materials

Polysulfone can be reinforced with glass fibers. The resulting composite material has twice the tensile strength and three times increase of its Young's modulus.^{[citation needed]}

Fuel cells

Polysulfone is often used as a copolymer. Recently, sulfonated polyethersulfones (SPES) have been studied as a promising material candidate among many other aromatic hydrocarbon-based polymers for highly durable proton-exchange membranes in fuel cells.^[13] Several reviews have reported progress on durability from many reports on this work.^[14] The biggest challenge for SPES application in fuel cells is improving its chemical durability. Under oxidative environment, SPES can undergo sulfonic group detachment and main chain scission. However the latter is more dominant; midpoint scission and unzip mechanism have been proposed as the degradation mechanism depending on the strength of the polymer backbone.^[15]

Food service industry

Polysulfone food pans are used for the storage, heating, and serving of foods. The pans are made to Gastronorm standards and are available in the natural transparent amber colour of polysulfone. The wide working temperature range of -40°C to 190°C allow these pans to go from a deep freezer directly to a steam table or microwave oven. Polysulfone provides a non-stick surface for minimal food wastage and easy cleaning.