Converting a Metal-Coordinating Polymer to a Polymerized Ionic Liquid Improves Li Transport.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with mechanical strength and reduced flammability may also enable next-generation Li batteries with higher energy densities. However, conventional SPEs have fundamental limitations in terms of Li conductivity. While an imidazole functionalized polymer (PMS-Im) has been previously shown to have ionic conductivity related to the imidazole-Li coordination, herein we demonstrate that quaternization of this polymer to form an analogous imidazolium functionalized polymer (PMS-Im) more efficiently solvates lithium salts and plasticizes the polymer.

Influence of Water Sorption on Ionic Conductivity in Polyether Electrolytes at Low Hydration.

Ion-containing polymers are subject to a wide range of hydration conditions across electrochemical and water treatment applications. Significant work on dry polymer electrolytes for batteries and highly swollen membranes for water purification has informed our understanding of ion transport under extreme conditions. However, knowledge of intermediate conditions (i.

Improved Mechanical Strength without Sacrificing Li-Ion Transport in Polymer Electrolytes.

Next-generation batteries demand solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with rapid ion transport and robust mechanical properties. However, many SPEs with liquid-like Li transport mechanisms suffer a fundamental trade-off between conductivity and strength. Dynamic polymer networks can improve bulk mechanics with minimal impact to segmental relaxation or ionic conductivity.