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DOE OSTI · 3702487

Influence of linkage chemistry and side-chain polarity on Ion 2 transport in click-functionalized polymerized ionic liquids.

Abstract

Post-polymerization functionalization offers precise molecular weight control and enables the high-throughput investigation of structure−property relationships in polymer research. However, post-polymerization functionalization strategies often introduce additional linkage chemistry, and its role in the physical properties of polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) has yet to be explored. In this work, a series of PILs were synthesized using Cu(I)-catalyzed azide−alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), with comparison made to N-alkylation substitution chemistry. The triazole ring introduced by CuAAC chemistry was found to induce extensive ion aggregation and deteriorate ion transport. The impact of linkage chemistry on ion transport can be alleviated by incorporating polar ethylene glycol spacers in the side chain, achieving an ionic conductivity of 2.1 × 10−4 S/cm at 30 °C. Furthermore, the effect of polar spacer placement was explored, revealing that overall side-chain polarity, rather than polarity in the vicinity of the ionic group, governs ion aggregation and ion transport in PILs.

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Shan, Naisong, Xu, Jie, Wang, Sihong, Nealey, Paul F.. 2026-06-23. Influence of linkage chemistry and side-chain polarity on Ion 2 transport in click-functionalized polymerized ionic liquids.. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c03292

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