Modulation of Ion Gel Properties Using Side Chain Crystallization in Random Copolymers

초록

Random copolymer architecture containing crystallizable side chains was used to realize polymer electrolyte composites, also known as ion gels. Ion gels exhibit relatively high ionic conductivity, compared with solid electrolytes, while the network architecture suppresses the electrolyte leakage. Ion gels can be applied to various flexible applications, such as electronic skins, thus requiring ion gels to exhibit mechanical toughness as well as desirable electrical characteristics. To achieve these requirements, we designed random copolymers comprising amorphous monomers and monomers with crystallizable side chains as a scaffold in fabricating ion gels. We studied the effect of side chain engineering on the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the ion gels.