Ion Transport in Nanostructured Phosphonated Block Copolymers Containing Ionic Liquids. Issue 14 (23rd April 2016) - Jung, Ha Young
Abstract : The morphology and conductivity of poly(styrenephosphonate‐ b ‐methylbutylene) block copolymers containing ionic liquids are investigated. The block copolymers display a series of well‐defined self‐assembled morphologies, i.e., lamellae, gyroid, hexagonal cylinder (HEX), body‐centered cubic, and A15 lattice, in the absence and presence of ionic liquids. The observation of an equilibrium A15 lattice for linear diblock copolymers, in contrast to a number of theoretical studies, is ascribed to the packing frustration accompanied by prevailing electrostatic interactions. The samples having the A15 lattice show a substantially higher morphology factors (0.83–0.96) than those with the HEX phases (0.42–0.69). This indicates the structural advantage of the A15 lattice with a well‐defined 3D symmetry over the 2D HEX structure for constructing less tortuous ion‐conduction pathways. This unprecedented study portends the rational design of nanostructured phosphonated polymer membranes with improved conductivity. Abstract : A series of well‐defined self‐assembled morphologies are developed from the phosphonated block copolymers upon the addition of ionic liquids. The elucidation of morphology‐transport relationship reveals the structural advantage of the A15 lattice with a well‐defined 3D symmetry over the 2D hexagonal cylinder morphology for the construction of less tortuous ion‐conduction pathways.