Effect of Confinement on Proton Transport Mechanisms in Block Copolymer/Ionic Liquid Membranes

An ordered, self-assembled nanocomposite with efficient electronic and ionic transport

Mixed conductors-materials that can efficiently conduct both ionic and electronic species-are an important class of functional solids. Here we demonstrate an organic nanocomposite that spontaneously forms when mixing an organic semiconductor with an ionic liquid and exhibits efficient room-temperature mixed conduction. We use a polymer known to form a semicrystalline microstructure to template ion intercalation into the side-chain domains of the crystallites, which leaves electronic transport pathways intact. Thus, the resulting material is ordered, exhibiting alternating layers of rigid semiconducting sheets and soft ion-conducting layers. This unique dual-network microstructure leads to a dynamic ionic/electronic nanocomposite with liquid-like ionic transport and highly mobile electronic charges. Using a combination of operando X-ray scattering and in situ spectroscopy, we confirm the ordered structure of the nanocomposite and uncover the mechanisms that give rise to efficient electron transport. These results provide fundamental insights into charge transport in organic semiconductors, as well as suggesting a pathway towards future improvements in these nanocomposites.

Ion channels in sulfonated copolymer-grafted nanoparticles in ionic liquids

The use of ionic liquids as solvents for polymers or polymer-grafted nanoparticles provides an exciting feature to explore electrolyte-polymer interactions. 1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (HMIm-TFSI) can have specific interactions with the polymer through ion-dipole forces or hydrogen bonding. In this work, poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PMMA-b-PSS) copolymer-grafted Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with different sulfonation levels (∼4.9 to 10.9 mol% SS) were synthesized, and their concentration dependent ionic conductivities were reported in acetonitrile and HMIm-TFSI/acetonitrile mixtures. We found that conductivity enhancement with the particle concentration in acetonitrile was due to the aggregation of grafted particles, resulting in sulfonic domain connectivity. The ionic conductivity was found to be related to the effective hopping transfer within ionic channels. On the contrary, the conductivity decreased or remained constant with increasing particle concentration in HMIm-TFSI/acetonitrile. This result was attributed to the ion coupling between ionic liquids and copolymer domains.

Confinement Effects in Dynamics of Ionic Liquids with Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles

Ionic liquid mixed with poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted nanoparticle aggregates at low particle concentrations was shown to exhibit different dynamics and ionic conductivity than that of pure ionic liquid in our previous studies. In this work, we report on the quasi-elastic neutron scattering results on ionic liquid containing polymer-grafted nanoparticles at the higher particle concentration. The diffusivity of imidazolium (HMIM + ) cations of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (HMIM-TFSI) in the presence of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles and the ionic conductivity of solutions were discussed through the confinement. Analysis of the elastic incoherent structure factor suggested the confinement radius decreased with the addition of grafted particles in HMIM-TFSI/solvent mixture, indicating the confinement that is induced by the high concentration of grafted particles, shrinks the HMIM-TFSI restricted volume. We further conjecture that this enhanced diffusivity occurs as a result of the local ordering of cations within aggregates of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted particles.

Effects of Ionic Liquid Nanoconfinement on the CO2/CH4 Separation in Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Thiocyanate Membranes

A combined experimental and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approach was used to investigate the effects of the nanoconfinement of a highly CO₂/CH₄-selective ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([EMIM][SCN]), in porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrices on the gas separation performance of the resulting membranes. The observed experimental CO₂/CH₄ permselectivity increased by about 46% when the nominal pore diameter in PVDF, which is a measure of nanoconfinement, decreased from 450 to 100 nm, thus demonstrating nanoconfinement improvements of gas separation. MD simulations corroborated these experimental observations and indicated a suppression in the sorption of CH₄ by [EMIM][SCN] when the IL nanoconfinement length decreased within the nonpolar PVDF surfaces. This is consistent with the experimental observation that the CH₄ permeance through the IL confined in nonpolar PVDF is significantly less than the CH₄ permeance through the IL confined in a water-wetting polar formulation of PVDF. The potential of mean force calculations further indicated that CO₂ has more affinity to the nonpolar PVDF surface than CH₄. Also, a charge/density distribution analysis of the IL in the PVDF-confined region revealed a layering of the IL into [EMIM]- and [SCN]-rich regions, where CH₄ was preferentially distributed in the former and CO₂ in the latter. These molecular insights into the nanoconfinement-driven mechanisms in polymer/IL membranes provide a framework for a better molecular design of such membranes for critical gas separation and CO₂ capture applications.

100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Block Copolymers with Tethered Acid Groups: Challenges and Opportunities

Scientific research on advanced polymer electrolytes has led to the emergence of all-solid-state energy storage/transfer systems. Early research began with acid-tethered polymers half a century ago, and research interest has gradually shifted to high-precision polymers with controllable acid functional groups and nanoscale morphologies. Consequently, various self-assembled acid-tethered block polymer morphologies have been produced. Their ion properties are profoundly affected by the multiscale intermolecular interactions in confinements. The creation of hierarchically organized ion/dipole arrangements inside the block copolymer nanostructures has been highlighted as a future method for developing advanced single-ion polymers with decoupled ion dynamics and polymer chain relaxation. Several emerging practical applications of the acid-tethered block copolymers have been explored to draw attention to the challenges and opportunities in developing state-of-the-art electrochemical systems.

Formation of ion gels by polymerization of block copolymer/ionic liquid/oil mesophases

In this study, we introduce a new method of developing ion gels through polymerization of lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) templates of monomer (styrene), cross-linker (divinylbenzene), ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate), and amphiphilic block copolymers (Pluronic F127). The polymerization of the oil phase boosts the mechanical properties of the ion-conducting electrolytes. We discuss the effect of tortuosity induced by crystalline domains and LLC structure on the conductivity of ion gels. The ion transport in polymerized LLCs (polyLLCs) can be controlled by changing the composition of the mesophases. Increasing the block copolymer concentration enhances the crystallinity of PEO blocks in the conductive domains, which slows down the dynamics of PEO chain and ion transport. We show that by adjusting the composition of LLC mesophases, the mechanical strength of ion gels can be increased one order of magnitude without compromising the ionic conductivity. The polyLLCs with 45/25/30 wt% (block copolymer/IL/oil) composition has storage modulus and ionic conductivity higher than 1 MPa and 3 mS cm-1 at 70 °C, respectively. The results suggest that LLC templating is a promising method to develop highly conductive ion gels, which provides advantages in terms of variety and processing.

Proton Propensity and Orientation of Imidazolium Cation at Liquid Imidazole-Vacuum Interface: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Imidazole has gained attention as an alternative to anhydrous proton conductor in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. A detailed investigation of proton propensity and the orientation of the imidazolium cation at the liquid-vacuum interface is important for understanding the interfacial properties of imidazole-based proton-conductive materials. Here, we perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulation on a slab model of the liquid imidazole-vacuum interface. Proton transportation process between the imidazolium cation and neutral imidazole molecules is described by the multistate empirical valence bond model of imidazole developed previously. The imidazolium cation shows a tendency to stay in the bulk region rather than at the outermost surface, and the NN vectors and norm vectors of both the imidazolium cation and imidazole molecules are more probable to be perpendicular to the surface normal vector at the interface than in the bulk. The orientation of the hydrogen bond cluster shows the same tendency as the NN vectors, which indicates that proton transportation along the direction of the surface normal vector is hindered. The instantaneous surface analyses show that the fluctuation is depressed when the imidazolium cation is near the outermost surface, which makes it less favorable for the cation appearing at the interface.

Tuning anhydrous proton conduction in single-ion polymers by crystalline ion channels

The synthesis of high-conductivity solid-state electrolyte materials with eliminated polarization loss is a great challenge. Here we show a promising potential of single-ion block copolymers with crystalline protogenic channels as efficient proton conductors. Through the self-organization of zwitterion, imidazole, and polystyrene sulfonate with controlled dipolar interactions therein, the distance between neighboring proton donors and acceptors in ionic crystals, as well as the dipolar orientation in nanoscale ionic phases was precisely tuned. This allowed a markedly high static dielectric constant comparable to water and fast structural diffusion of protons with a low potential barrier for single-ion polymers. The optimized sample exhibited a high proton diffusion coefficient of 2.4 × 10^–6cm²s^–1 under anhydrous conditions at 90 °C.

High-conductivity solid-state electrolyte materials with minimal polarization loss are difficult to synthesize. Here the authors show single-ion block copolymers with crystalline protogenic channels having a promising potential to be used as efficient proton conductors.

Application of Ionic Liquids to Energy Storage and Conversion Materials and Devices

Ionic liquids (ILs) are liquids consisting entirely of ions and can be further defined as molten salts having melting points lower than 100 °C. One of the most important research areas for IL utilization is undoubtedly their energy application, especially for energy storage and conversion materials and devices, because there is a continuously increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy. In this article, various application of ILs are reviewed by focusing on their use as electrolyte materials for Li/Na ion batteries, Li-sulfur batteries, Li-oxygen batteries, and nonhumidified fuel cells and as carbon precursors for electrode catalysts of fuel cells and electrode materials for batteries and supercapacitors. Due to their characteristic properties such as nonvolatility, high thermal stability, and high ionic conductivity, ILs appear to meet the rigorous demands/criteria of these various applications. However, for further development, specific applications for which these characteristic properties become unique (i.e., not easily achieved by other materials) must be explored. Thus, through strong demands for research and consideration of ILs unique properties, we will be able to identify indispensable applications for ILs.

Constructing Straight Polyionic Liquid Microchannels for Fast Anhydrous Proton Transport

Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) have triggered great interest as all solid-state flexible electrolytes because of safety and superior thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability. It is of great importance to fabricate highly conductive electrolyte membranes capable to operate above 120 °C under anhydrous conditions and in the absence of mineral acids, without sacrificing the mechanical behavior. Herein, the diminished dimensional and mechanical stability of poly[1-(3H-imidazolium)ethylene]bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide has been improved thanks to its infiltration on a polybenzimidale (PBI) support with specific pore architecture. Our innovative solution is based on the synergic combination of an emerging class of materials and sustainable large-scale manufacturing techniques (UV polymerization and replication by microtransfer-molding). Following this approach, the PIL plays the proton conduction role, and the PBI microsieve (SPBI) mainly provides the mechanical reinforcement. Among the resulting electrolyte membranes, conductivity values above 50 mS·cm^-1 at 200 °C and 10.0 MPa as tensile stress are shown by straight microchannels of poly[1-(3H-imidazolium)ethylene]bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide cross-linked with 1% of dyvinylbenzene embedded in a PBI microsieve with well-defined porosity (36%) and pore diameter (17 μm).

Thermodynamics and phase behavior of acid-tethered block copolymers with ionic liquids

We investigate the phase behavior of acid-tethered block copolymers with and without ionic liquids. Two phosphonated block copolymers and their sulfonated analogs were synthesized by fine-tuning the degree of polymerization and the acid content. The block copolymers carrying acid groups with ionic liquids exhibited rich phase sequences, i.e., disorder-lamellae (LAM), gyroid-LAM, gyroid-hexagonal cylinder (HEX), and gyroid-A15 lattice, and the cation/anion ratio in the ionic liquid exerted profound effects on the segregation strength and topology of the self-assembled structures. Additionally, using ionic liquids with excessive cation content was found to enhance the effective Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, χ_eff, of the samples. However, as the anion content of the ionic liquids increased the segregation strength decreased. This is attributed to the packing frustration accompanied by the prevailing repulsive electrostatic interactions of the anions in the ionic liquid and the polymer matrix. As the hydrophobicity of the ionic liquids increased, well-defined ordered phases emerged in the phosphonated block copolymers with increased anion content, contrary to the disordered phases of the sulfonated samples. Thus, the balance between solvation energy of the anions and the electrostatic interactions is a key determinant of the thermodynamics of acid-tethered block copolymers containing ionic liquids.

Anhydrous Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolyte Membranes via Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation

Solid-state polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) exhibiting high ionic conductivity coupled with mechanical robustness and high thermal stability are vital for the design of next-generation lithium-ion batteries and high-temperature fuel cells. We present the in situ preparation of nanostructured PEMs incorporating a protic ionic liquid (IL) into one of the domains of a microphase-separated block copolymer created via polymerization-induced microphase separation. This facile, one-pot synthetic strategy transforms a homogeneous liquid precursor consisting of a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macro-chain-transfer agent, styrene and divinylbenzene monomers, and protic IL into a robust and transparent monolith. The resulting PEMs exhibit a bicontinuous morphology comprising PEO/protic IL conducting pathways and highly cross-linked polystyrene (PS) domains. The cross-linked PS mechanical scaffold imparts thermal and mechanical stability to the PEMs, with an elastic modulus approaching 10 MPa at 180 °C, without sacrificing the ionic conductivity of the system. Crucially, the long-range continuity of the PEO/protic IL conducting nanochannels results in an outstanding ionic conductivity of 14 mS/cm at 180 °C. We posit that proton conduction in the protic IL occurs via the vehicular mechanism and the PEMs exhibit an average proton transference number of 0.7. This approach is very promising for the development of high-temperature, robust PEMs with excellent proton conductivities.

Dramatic improvement in water retention and proton conductivity in electrically aligned functionalized CNT/SPEEK nanohybrid PEM

Nanohybrid membranes of electrically aligned functionalized carbon nanotube f CNT with sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) have been successfully prepared by solution casting. Functionalization of CNTs was done through a carboxylation and sulfonation route. Further, a constant electric field (500 V·cm(-2)) has been applied to align CNTs in the same direction during the membrane drying process. All the membranes are characterized chemically, thermally, and mechanically by the means of FTIR, DSC, DMA, UTM, SEM, TEM, and AFM techniques. Intermolecular interactions between the components in hybrid membranes are established by FTIR. Physicochemical measurements were done to analyze membrane stability. Membranes are evaluated for proton conductivity (30-90 °C) and methanol crossover resistance to reveal their potential for direct methanol fuel cell application. Incorporation of f CNT reasonably increases the ion-exchange capacity, water retention, and proton conductivity while it reduces the methanol permeability. The maximum proton conductivity has been found in the S-sCNT-5 nanohybrid PEM with higher methanol crossover resistance. The prepared membranes can be also used for electrode material for fuel cells and batteries.

The evolution of cyclopropenium ions into functional polyelectrolytes

Versatile polyelectrolytes with tunable physical properties have the potential to be transformative in applications such as energy storage, fuel cells and various electronic devices. Among the types of materials available for these applications, nanostructured cationic block copolyelectrolytes offer mechanical integrity and well-defined conducting paths for ionic transport. To date, most cationic polyelectrolytes bear charge formally localized on heteroatoms and lack broad modularity to tune their physical properties. To overcome these challenges, we describe herein the development of a new class of functional polyelectrolytes based on the aromatic cyclopropenium ion. We demonstrate the facile synthesis of a series of polymers and nanoparticles based on monomeric cyclopropenium building blocks incorporating various functional groups that affect physical properties. The materials exhibit high ionic conductivity and thermal stability due to the nature of the cationic moieties, thus rendering this class of new materials as an attractive alternative to develop ion-conducting membranes.

An environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of an fGO modified anion exchange membrane for electro-membrane applications

We report the synthesis of an anion exchange membrane (AEM) based on chemically covalently modified graphene oxide (GO) for electrodialysis and fuel cell applications.

SGO/SPES-based highly conducting polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell application

Proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) consisting of sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES) with enhanced electrochemical properties have been successfully prepared by incorporating different amount of sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO). Composite membranes are tested for proton conductivity (30-90 °C) and methanol crossover resistance to expose their potential for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. Incorporation of SGO considerably increases the ion-exchange capacity (IEC), water retention and proton conductivity and reduces the methanol permeability. Membranes have been characterized by FTIR, XRD, DSC, SEM, TEM, and AFM techniques. Intermolecular interactions between the components in composite membranes are established by FTIR. The distribution of SGO throughout the membrane matrix has been examined using SEM and TEM and found to be uniform. The maximum proton conductivity has been found in 5% SGO composite with higher methanol crossover resistance.

High-modulus, high-conductivity nanostructured polymer electrolyte membranes via polymerization-induced phase separation

The primary challenge in solid-state polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) is to enhance properties, such as modulus, toughness, and high temperature stability, without sacrificing ionic conductivity. We report a remarkably facile one-pot synthetic strategy based on polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) to generate nanostructured PEMs that exhibit an unprecedented combination of high modulus and ionic conductivity. Simple heating of a poly(ethylene oxide) macromolecular chain transfer agent dissolved in a mixture of ionic liquid, styrene and divinylbenzene, leads to a bicontinuous PEM comprising interpenetrating nanodomains of highly cross-linked polystyrene and poly(ethylene oxide)/ionic liquid. Ionic conductivities higher than the 1 mS/cm benchmark were achieved in samples with an elastic modulus approaching 1 GPa at room temperature. Crucially, these samples are robust solids above 100 °C, where the conductivity is significantly higher. This strategy holds tremendous potential to advance lithium-ion battery technology by enabling the use of lithium metal anodes or to serve as membranes in high-temperature fuel cells.

Multifunctional photo-crosslinked polymeric ionic hydrogel films

The crosslinked ionic hydrogel films prepared by photopolymerization have multiple applications as magnetic, catalytic, antibiotic, and fluorescent materials.

Conductivity Scaling Relationships for Nanostructured Block Copolymer/Ionic Liquid Membranes

To optimize the properties of membranes composed of mixtures of block copolymers with ionic liquids, it is essential to understand universal scaling relationships between composition, structure, temperature, and ionic conductivity. In this work, we demonstrate the universality of relationships developed to describe the temperature and concentration dependence of ionic conductivity in such membranes by comparing the conductivity behavior of mixtures of ionic liquid with two block copolymer chemistries. The conductivities of all the mixtures are described by a single expression, which combines percolation theory with the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) equation. Percolation theory describes the power law dependence of conductivity on the overall volume fraction of ionic liquid, while the VTF equation takes into account the effect of the glass transition temperature of the conducting phase on the temperature dependence. The dominance of the overall volume fraction of ionic liquid in determining conductivity indicates that there is incredible flexibility in designing highly conductive block copolymer/ionic liquid membranes.