Blocky poly(ether ether ketone) copolymers and corresponding synthesis methods and articles

A PEEK copolymer gel comprising a blocky PEEK copolymer and a gel solvent that is a non-solvent for the blocky PEEK copolymer and a solvent for trifluoroacetyl sulfate, wherein the blocky PEEK copolymer comprises:

• (i) recurring unit (RPEEK) represented by the following formula:
• wherein
• R1 and R2 are independently selected at each instance from the group consisting of a halogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, an ether, a thioether, a carboxylic acid, an ester, an amide, an imide, an alkali or an alkaline earth metal sulfonate, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkali or alkaline earth metal phosphonate, an alkyl phosphonate, an amine and a quaternary ammonium;
• R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected at each instance from the group consisting of a hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, an ether, a thioether, a carboxylic acid, an ester, an amide, an imide, an alkali or an alkaline earth metal sulfonate, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkali or alkaline earth metal phosphonate, an alkyl phosphonate, an amine and a quaternary ammonium;
• i and j are independently selected integers from 0 to 4;
• and
• (ii) recurring unit (R*PEEK) represented by the following formula:
• wherein
• i, j, R5, R6 and each R1 and R2 are identical to those selected for recurring unit (RPEEK);
• L1 is the same as R3, —SO3M or —Br,
• L2 is the same as R4, —SO3M′ or —Br,
• M and M′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, Group IA elements and alkali earth metal elements;
• and
• at least one of L1 and L2 is —SO3M or Br,
• wherein the PEEK copolymer
• has a degree of functionalization of at least about 20%, as measured by 1HNMR spectroscopy and
• a degree of crystallinity of at least about 10%, as measured by Differential Scanning calorimetry (“DSC”) using a ramp rate of 10° C./min and heating from a first temperature of 0° C. to 390° C., wherein the PEEK gel has a PEEK concentration of at least 21 w/v % to 40 w/v %.