(526a) Nature-Inspired Ion-Containing Polymers: Playing with Confinement

The advancement of clean energy technologies relies on overcoming significant scientific challenges, one of which is ion conduction limitation at polymer-catalyst interfaces. The current state-of-the-art proton-conducting polymers often exhibit poor proton conductivity as the film thickness goes below a micron. However, the reasons for this poor conductivity are not well understood. Exploring the interfacial properties is either very challenging or requires sophisticated instruments (such as neutron reflectometry (NR)) which are not available for everyday experimentation. Besides, by using techniques like NR, mass and density distribution across the thickness of ionomer films can be obtained, but will this distribution drive and lead to distributed ion conduction or mechanical properties across thin films? To address such critical questions, we have leveraged several surface engineering strategies and developed some interesting, non-conventional, fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy-based techniques in the recent past. The developed strategies offer an array of information relevant to hydration induced ion conduction not only within the sub-micron thick ionomer films but also at specific interfaces (e.g. air/polymer or polymer/substrate) of such films. Based on our understanding of thin-film ion confinement through these strategies, we have also designed some nature-inspired ion-containing oligomers and polymers which in fact leverage confinement to improve ion conduction at interfaces. The second part of this talk will share insights into the self-assembly and ion conduction behavior of this novel range of ionomer that can significantly improve the ion conduction within sub-micron thick films.