Molecular dynamics and charge transport in highly conductive Polymeric Ionic Liquids

TL;DR

This study investigates the glassy dynamics and charge transport in highly conductive polymeric ionic liquids using broadband dielectric spectroscopy, revealing a glass transition assisted hopping mechanism and the impact of polymerization degree on conductivity.

Contribution

It provides the first evidence of increased conductivity with higher polymerization degree in PILs and models charge transport as glass transition assisted hopping.

Findings

Highest dc-conductivity observed below 100°C for this class of PILs

Conductivity increases with rising degree of polymerization

Charge transport follows the random free-energy barrier model

Abstract

Glassy dynamics and charge transport are studied for the polymeric Ionic Liquid (PIL) poly(tris(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)ammonium acryloxypropylsulfonate) (PAAPS) with varying molecular weight (9700, 44200, 51600 and 99500 g per mol) by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) in a wide frequency (0.01 - 10E7 Hz) and temperature range (100 - 400 K) and by DSC- and AC-chip calorimetry. The dielectric spectra are characterized by a superposition of (i) relaxation processes, (ii) charge transport and (iii) electrode polarization. The relaxation processes (i) are assigned to the dynamic glass transition and a secondary relaxation. Charge transport (ii) can be described by the random free-energy barrier model as worked out by Dyre et al.; the Barton-Namikawa-Nakajima (BNN) relationship is well fulfilled over more than 8 decades. Electrode polarization (iii) follows the characteristics as analyzed by Serghei et al.; with deviations on the low frequency side. The proportionality between the relaxation rate of the dynamic glass transition and the charge carrier hopping rate reflects the nature of charge transport as glass transition assisted hopping. Hereby, the PIL under study exposes the highest dc-conductivity values observed for this class of materials below 100 oC so far, and for the first time a conductivity increase by rising degree of polymerization. The comparison of the polymeric Ionic Liquids under study with others implies conclusions on the design of novel highly conductive PILs.