Light‐Controllable Ionic Conductivity in a Polymeric Ionic Liquid. Issue 13 (4th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nie, Hui; Schauser, Nicole S.; Dolinski, Neil D.; Hu, Jerry; Hawker, Craig J.; Segalman, Rachel A.; Read de Alaniz, Javier
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 59:Issue 13(2020)
• Page Start: 5123
• Page End: 5128
• Publication Date: 2020-02-04
• Subjects: cation–anion interactions -- diarylethene -- ionic conductivity -- photoswitches -- polymeric ionic liquids; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201912921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) have attracted considerable attention as electrolytes with high stability and mechanical durability. Light‐responsive materials are enabling for a variety of future technologies owing to their remote and noninvasive manipulation, spatiotemporal control, and low environmental impact. To address this potential, responsive PIL materials based on diarylethene units were designed to undergo light‐mediated conductivity changes. Key to this modulation is tuning of the cationic character of the imidazolium bridging unit upon photoswitching. Irradiation of these materials with UV light triggers a circa 70 % drop in conductivity in the solid state that can be recovered upon subsequent irradiation with visible light. This light‐responsive ionic conductivity enables spatiotemporal and reversible patterning of PIL films using light. This modulation of ionic conductivity allows for the development of light‐controlled electrical circuits and wearable photodetectors. Abstract : Light‐responsive PILs : Polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) materials based on diarylethene units have been designed to undergo a light‐mediated change in conductivity. Key to this modulation is a change in the cationic character of the imidazolium bridging unit upon photoswitching. Irradiation with UV light triggers a 70 % drop in conductivity in the solid state, which can be recovered upon subsequent irradiation with visible light.