polyarylsulfones

Polyarylsulfones are a class of high-performance thermoplastic polymers in which aromatic rings are connected by sulfone linkages (-SO2-). The sulfone groups contribute rigidity and exceptional thermal stability to the polymer backbone, giving high glass transition temperatures and strong chemical resistance. The most common members are polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU).

Structure and synthesis are based on repeating units that integrate aromatic rings with sulfone bridges. These polymers are typically prepared by step-growth condensation of difunctional aromatic monomers bearing sulfone or sulfonyl chloride groups with difunctional phenols or related partners, or by alternative nucleophilic aromatic substitution routes. Such routes yield high-molecular-weight polymers with aryl-sulfone linkages.

Properties of polyarylsulfones include high thermal stability, with Tg values often in the range of 180–230 C, and strong mechanical performance with good dimensional stability. They exhibit excellent resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, and many solvents, along with solid hydrolytic and oxidative stability. Processing can require elevated temperatures; some grades melt-process, while others are processed from solution to form films or membranes.

Applications for polyarylsulfones are broad in high-temperature and chemically demanding environments. They are widely used in chemical processing equipment, electrical/electronic components, and medical devices. Notably, PES and PPSU are employed in membranes for water purification, ultrafiltration, and gas separation, while PSU finds use in automotive and aerospace parts. As thermoplastics, they are generally recyclable and their properties can be tuned through copolymerization and blending.