A novel gel polymer electrolyte based on poly ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-(2-methacryloyloxy ethyl) imidazolium iodide

Poly ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-(2-methacryloyloxy ethyl) imidazolium iodide (PEMEImI) as a single-ion conductor was designed and synthesized. When appropriate amount of suitable plasticizers, I₂ and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were incorporated into it, the complex formed gel polymer electrolyte. Chemical structure, thermal behavior and ionic conductive properties of the gel polymer electrolyte were investigated by Raman spectra, UV-Vis spectra, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and complex impedance analysis, respectively. For the new gel polymer electrolyte, the ionic conductivity of about 1 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature was achieved.     

Preparation and ionic conductivities of the plasticized polymer electrolytes based on poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkali metal methacrylate)

Ionic conductivities of the polymer electrolytes prepared from the ionomer (poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkali metal methacrylate)), lithium perchlorate, and ethylene carbonate as a plasticizer, were studied as a function of the ion content and the alkali-metal cation of the ionomer. It was possible to obtain tough films with room-temperature ionic conductivities of ∼ 10^-3 S/cm. The maximum ion conductivities of the polymer electrolytes were obtained at the ion content of 5 mol % for both Li and Na ionomer. The effects of the ion content of the ionomer on the ionic conductivities of the polymer electrolytes were mainly interpreted in terms of the characteristics of the ion aggregate formed in the polymer electrolytes. The thermal dependence of the ionic conductivity was shown to be a non-VTF pattern in some of the polymer electrolytes investigated, which is expected to be due to the presence of the ion aggregate. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymer electrolyte for lithium batteries based on photochemically crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) and ionic liquid

Polymer/ionic liquid composites were investigated as solvent-free electrolytes for lithium batteries. Ternary electrolytes based upon poly(ethylene oxide), an ionic liquid and a conducting salt were UV crosslinked with benzophenone as the photoinitiator. Crosslinking leads to an increase in mechanical stability of the PEO composites. This straight-forward process provides a way to increase the content of ionic liquid and thus to raise ionic conductivity without loss of mechanical stability. Impedance measurements showed that the ionic conductivity of the composites is not affected by the UV curing process. Moreover, the UV curing process causes a decrease in the degree of crystallinity in the PEO composites which contributes to an increase in ionic conductivity. The present work is related to safety issues of lithium batteries.     

Structural,thermal, and impedance properties of a gel polymer electrolyte containing ionic liquid

The gel polymer electrolytes composed of ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF₄) and the copolymer of acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) are synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR spectra, TGA, DSC, and AC impedance measurements. IR spectra show that there is an interaction between PEO side chains of the copolymer and imidazolium cations. TGA measurements indicate that the gel polymer electrolytes are stable until 120°C. By using the equivalent circuit proposed, the experimental data and the simulated data fit very well. The bulk resistance R_b is found to decrease with the increase in BMImBF₄ content. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion conductivity studies of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) complexed with LiCF3 SO3

Polymer electrolytes which are adhesive, transparent, and stable to atmospheric moisture have been prepared by blending poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) with poly(ethylene glycol)/LiCF₃ SO₃ complexes. The maximum ionic conductivities at room temperature were measured to be in the range of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁵ s cm⁻¹. The clarity of the sample was improved as the graft degree increased for all the samples studied. The graft degree of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) was found to be important for the compatibility between the poly(methyl methacrylate) segments in poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) and the added poly(ethylene glycol), and consequently, for the ion conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. These properties make them promising candidates for polymer electrolytes in electrochromic devices. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dominant ion transport processes of ionic liquid electrolyte in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)

Electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry was used to study movement of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIBTI) into and out of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). In 0.1M EMIBTI/acetonitrile, anionic transport predominates, as is typical of solution-based electrolytes. In pure EMIBTI, on the other hand, the minimal mass change observed during polymer oxidation/reduction was observed to be cation-dominant. PEDOT deposition from dilute EMIBTI solution followed by cycling in neat EMIBTI resulted in rapid decrease of electroactivity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

A novel ternary polymer electrolyte for LMP batteries based on thermal cross-linked poly(urethane acrylate) in presence of a lithium salt and an ionic liquid

A new ternary polymer electrolyte based on thermally cross-linked poly(urethane acrylate) (PUA), lithium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and the ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium TFSI (PYR₁₄TFSI) was developed and tested for application in LMP batteries. The polymer electrolyte was a transparent yellow self-standing material with quite good mechanical properties, i.e., comparable to that of a flexible rubber. The room temperature ionic conductivity of the dry polymer electrolyte was found to be as high as 0.1 mS cm⁻¹ for the compound containing 40 wt% of ionic liquid (PYR₁₄TFSI) and a O/Li ratio of 15/1 (Li⁺ from LiTFSI). The thermal analysis of the new cross-linked electrolyte showed that it was homogeneous, amorphous and stable over a wide temperature range extending from −40 °C to 100 °C. The homogeneity of the polymer electrolyte was also confirmed by SEM analysis.     

Large enhancement of the ionic conductivity in an electron‐beam‐irradiated [poly(ethylene glycol)]xLiClO4 solid polymer electrolyte

The effect of electron‐beam (4–8 MeV) irradiation on the ionic conductivity of a solid polymer electrolyte, poly(ethylene glycol) complexed with LiClO₄, was studied. A large enhancement of the conductivity of nearly two orders of magnitude was observed for the highest dose of irradiation (15 kGy) used. The samples were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Although no free radicals were present in the irradiated samples, a decrease in the glass‐transition temperature and an increase in the amorphous fraction were observed. Even though pure poly(ethylene glycol) underwent considerable fragmentation, unexpectedly, no significant fragmentation was observed in the polymer–salt complexes. The enhancement of the conductivity was attributed to an increase in the amorphous fraction of the systems and also to an increase in the flexibility of the polymer chains due to the irradiation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1299–1311, 2004     

Morphological change of thermosensitive imidazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid)/poly(phenylethylmethacrylate) composite particles

Composite particles comprising poly(2‐phenylethyl methacrylate) (PPhEMA) and imidazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid)s were prepared by suspension polymerization of 1‐vinyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide as an ionic liquid monomer with dissolved PPhEMA. Not only PPhEMA exhibits lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in 1‐vinyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide but also the polymer blend in the bulk state exhibited LCST behavior. However, the composite polymer particles obtained after polymerization at 70°C maintained a homogeneous inner structure after heat treatment as the polymerization temperature was greater than the LCST in this system due to the formation of a cross‐linked structure during polymerization. When the composite particles were prepared by suspension polymerization at 30°C, their inner morphology changed from homogeneous to phase separated during the subsequent heat treatment. Moreover, the morphology transformation of the composite particles was dependent on the PPhEMA molecular weight. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New interpenetrating polymer networks based on uralkyd/poly(glycidyl methacrylate)

Semi- and full-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on uralkyd resin (UA)/poly(glycidyl methacrylate) were synthesized in the laboratory by the sequential technique. Infrared spectra of the homopolymers and the IPNs were studied. A study of the mechanical properties viz. tensile strength and elongation percentage was carried out. The apparent densities of the homopolymers and their IPNs were determined and compared. Glass transition studies of the IPNs were conducted with the aid of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Phase morphology of the IPNs was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC results revealed a single glass transition temperature (T_g) for both the semi- as well as the full-IPNs suggesting good interpenetration in them. The SEM micrographs as well as the IR-spectra gave an indication that apart form the interpenetration phenomena, grafting reaction between the -NCO groups of UA and the epoxy group of glycidyl methacrylate might have occurred to some extent.     

Ion-free latex films composed of fused polybutadiene and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) particles as polymer electrolyte materials

Latex films composed of fused polybutadiene (PB) and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) particles that contain no ionic, hydroxyl, or amino groups were swelled with lithium salt solutions to yield new polymer electrolyte materials. The latex particle consists of a nonpolar, rubbery core that contains the PB component and a polar, glassy shell that contains the PVP component. The particle core-shell morphology was retained in the solid state, after the latex dispersion medium was removed and the films dried at high temperatures, due to the high T_g of the PVP shell. The films swelled when immersed in lithium salt solutions, and ionic conductivity of swollen films was greater than 10^-3 S/cm. Swelling and ionic conduction occurred only in the polar PVP component. Extraction of PVP occurred with extended swelling. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) functionalized star-shaped tricationic imidazolium based ionic liquid

We report on the preparation of a well-defined star-shaped tricationic ionic liquid possessing three arms of poly(ethylene glycol) functionalized imidazolium rings. Remarkable solubility was found in most of the organic solvents we used. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) exhibited excellent thermal stability and two distinct decomposition temperatures were attributed to two kinds of chemical degradation. Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) was further employed to investigate the thermal phase transitions, that three different signals(Tg, Tc, and Tm) were shown upon the second heating process. Moreover, CH2Cl2 solution of the ionic liquid expressed an excitation-wavelength dependent fluorescence response, leading to the facile modulation of photoluminescence behavior. This work represents an example of utilizing molecular design to construct novel ionic liquids and endow further potential to be used in the engineering materials.     

The network gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(acrylate-co-imide) and its transport properties in lithium ion batteries

Poly (acrylate-co-imide)-based gel polymer electrolytes are synthesized by in situ free radical polymerization. Infrared spectroscopy confirms the complete polymerization of gel polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of gel polymer electrolytes are measured as a function of different repeating EO units of polyacrylates. An optimal ionic conductivity of the poly (PEGMEMA₁₁₀₀-BMI) gel polymer electrolyte is determined to be 4.8 × 10^–3 S/cm at 25 °C. The lithium transference number is found to be 0.29. The cyclic voltammogram shows that the wide electrochemical stability window of the gel polymer electrolyte varies from −0.5 to 4.20 V (vs. Li/Li⁺). Furthermore, we found the transport properties of novel gel polymer electrolytes are dependent on the EO design and are also related to the rate capability and the cycling ability of lithium polymer batteries. The relationship between polymer electrolyte design, lithium transport properties and battery performance are investigated in this research.     

Synthesis and properties of all solid polymer electrolytes based on poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐acetyl ethylene oxide acrylate)

Poly(acetyl ethylene oxide acrylate‐co‐vinyl acetate) (P(AEOA‐VAc)) was synthesized and used as a host for lithium perchlorate to prepare an all solid polymer electrolyte. Introduction of carbonyl groups into the copolymer increased ionic conductivity. All solid polymer electrolytes based on P(AEOA‐VAc) at 14.3 wt% VAc with 12wt% LiClO₄ showed conductivity as high as 1.2 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature. The temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity followed the VTF behavior, indicating that the ion transport was related to segmental movement of the polymer. FTIR was used to investigate the effect of the carbonyl group on ionic conductivity. The interaction between the lithium salt and carbonyl groups accelerated the dissociation of the lithium salt and thus resulted in a maximum ionic conductivity at a salt concentration higher than pure PAEO‐salts system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新型质子离子液体/硅凝胶电解质的制备及其性能

采用一步溶胶-凝胶法首次将质子型离子液体固定于纳米多孔硅骨架中,合成了表面光滑、柔软、透明的质子增强型固态复合凝胶电解质.研究表明,该凝胶电解质结合了无机硅骨架和质子离子液体的双重优点,具有高的热稳定性（〉300℃）、宽的电化学稳定窗口（〉2.8V）和优异的中低温导电性（11.25×10？3Scm？1,80℃）.可望作为一种新型固态电解质应用于先进储能器件.     

Composite electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) and binary ionic liquids for dye-sensitized solar cells

The sunlight is the largest single available source of clean and renewable energy to ensure human society’s sustainable development. Owing to their low production cost and high energy conversion efficiency, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been regarded as good alternatives to conventional photovoltaic devices. Herein, a series of composite electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and the binary ionic liquids 1-propyl-3-methy-imidazolium iodide ([PMIm]I) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([EMIm][SCN]) were prepared and then applied to fabricate six DSSCs. The composite electrolytes were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). It was shown that the addition of binary ionic liquids would reduce the degree of crystallinity of PEO, thus improving the ionic conductivities of the electrolytes by about 2 orders of magnitude. Investigation on the photovoltaic performances of these DSSCs showed that the fill factor (FF) could reach up to 0.67 and energy conversion efficiency (η) could reach up to 4.04% under AM 1.5 full sunlight (100 mW/cm2).     

Dielectric relaxation and ionic transport in poly(ethylene carbonate)‐based electrolytes

To study the ion‐conductive and dielectric properties of polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), the complex permittivity and conductivity were measured using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the relaxation frequency and ionic conductivity for PEC‐LiTFSI electrolytes (1 – 200 mol%) indicates that the segmental motion of PEC chains decreases with the addition of just 1 mol% of Li salt and increases with increasing concentration above 10 mol%. According to the Walden rule for PEC‐based electrolytes, the value of deviation from the reference line increased, and the fragility and decoupling exponents decreased with increasing salt concentration. These results indicate that there are large numbers of ion pairs and aggregated ions, which imply low ionicity and reduced fragility in highly concentrated PEC‐based electrolytes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Imidazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid)s with poly(ethylene oxide) main chains: Effects of spacer and tail structures on ionic conductivity

Ten types of cationic glycidyl triazole polymers (GTPs) are prepared from combinations of five alkyl‐imidazolium units (methyl‐, ethyl‐, n‐propyl‐, iso‐propyl‐, and n‐butyl‐imidazoliums) and two spacers [di‐ and tri(ethylene glycol)s]. Since these poly(ionic liquid)s are prepared from the same sample of glycidyl azide polymer by postfunctionalization method, they have the same degree of polymerization. Therefore, the structure–property relationship can be discussed without influence of molecular weight difference. The samples are characterized by NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The ionic conductivity data are obtained by impedance measurements. The GTPs with the tri(ethylene glycol) spacer and ethyl‐ and n‐butyl‐imidazolium units afford the highest anhydrous conductivity of 1.5 × 10^?5 S cm^?1 at 30 °C. Based on electrode polarization (EP) analysis, we calculate the conducting ion (carrier) concentration and mobility. We discuss the effect of the spacer and N‐alkyl tail structures on the ionic conductivity using the data obtained by EP analysis and X‐ray diffraction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2896–2906     

The effect of crosslinked networks with poly(ethylene glycol) on sulfonated polyimide for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

To investigate the effect of crosslinking by a hydrophilic group on a sulfonated polyimide electrolyte membrane, sulfonated polyimide end‐capped with maleic anhydride was synthesized using 1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl, 2,2′‐disulfonic acid, 2‐bis [4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluropropane and maleic anhydride. The sulfonated polyimides end‐capped with maleic anhydride were self‐crosslinked or crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. A series of the crosslinked sulfonated polyimides having various ratios of sulfonated polyimide and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate were prepared and compared with uncrosslinked and self‐crosslinked sulfonated polyimides. The synthesized sulfonated polyimide films were characterized for FTIR spectrum, thermal stability, ion exchange capacity, water uptake, hydrolytic stability, morphological structure, and proton conductivity. The formation of sulfonated polyimide was confirmed in FTIR spectrum. Thermal stability was good for all the sulfonated polyimides that exhibited a three‐step degradation pattern. Ion exchange capacity was the same for both the uncrosslinked and the self‐crosslinked sulfonated polyimides (1.30 mEq/g). When the crosslinked sulfonated polyimides with poly(ethylene glycol) were compared, the ion exchange capacity was decreased as 1.27 > 1.25 > 1.23 mEq/g and water uptake was increased as 23.8 < 24.0 < 24.3% with the increase in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate content. All the crosslinked sulfonated polyimides with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate were stable for over 200 h at 80 °C in deionized water. Morphological structure and mean intermolecular distance were obtained by WAXD. Proton conductivities were measured at 30, 50, 70, and 90 °C. The proton conductivity of the crosslinked sulfonated polyimides with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate increased with the increase in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate content despite the fact that the ion exchange capacity was decreased. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1455–1464, 2005     

Specific ionic conduction in poly[oligo (oxyethylene glycol) methacrylate] (PMEO)–Li salt complexes under high‐pressure CO2

We measured the ionic conductivity of amorphous poly[oligo (oxyethylene glycol) methacrylate] (PMEO)–lithium salt complexes under a CO₂ pressure varying from 0.1 to 20 MPa. The pressure dependence of the conductivity was positive, and the conductivity was higher than that under an inert gas such as N₂. The ion‐conductive behavior has been modeled using both the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) equation and activation volume theory. The calculated parameters of the VTF equation show that CO₂ that had permeated into the PMEO matrix acts as solvent molecules to dissolve ions and lower the glass transition temperature at high pressures. The ionic conduction in PMEO complexes under high‐pressure CO₂ was scarcely related to the VTF parameters and activation volume equations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3151–3158, 2005