(4bw) Solid Polymer Electrolytes Derived From Ionic Liquids: From Synthesis to Applications

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are of profound interest to chemists and engineers, in part, due to the drawbacks of liquid electrolytes (e.g. leakage, flammability, toxicity, stability). The SPEs derived from ionic liquids (ILs) have received increased attention over the past years because of their excellent properties (e.g. high conductivity, electrochemical and thermal stability, and non-volatility), leading to a variety of applications for energy conversion and storage devices such as fuel cells, batteries, actuators and capacitors.

Our study focuses on the development of next-generation IL-based SPEs, targeting multifunctional properties that can be utilized for energy applications. Different from an IL, a PIL bears the moiety of an IL that is covalently bonded to a polymer chain by polymerization of an IL monomer through polymerizable functional groups, offering a new type of polymer electrolyte material. We started with synthesis of IL monomers and PILs, which allows to the most opportunity for the preparation of new IL-based electrolyte materials with tailored chemical structures and tunable properties. Our current work has shown that the anion type has a significant effect on the glass transition temperature of the polymer and subsequently the ionic conductivity. Ion transport in polymer electrolytes is also studied, which provides valuable insights into ion conduction in these ion-containing polymers and guides design and preparation of novel SPEs for energy applications.

Currently I am working with Professor Yossef (Joe) Elabd in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Drexel University (2008 - present). My current research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a new type of polymer electrolytes (polymerized ionic liquids) for energy conversion and storage devices such as fuel cells, actuators, and batteries. My graduate study under Professor Kyu Yong Choi along with my side work with the department chair, Professor F. Joseph Schork, at University of Maryland at College Park (2002 ? 2008) provided me with a strong and broad background in polymer science and engineering (polymer synthesis, characterization, kinetic and reactor modeling, and process scale-up). My Ph.D. work focused on the development of high molecular weight bisphenol A polycarbonate as well as kinetic and reactor modeling. New methods have been developed to prepare micron-sized polycarbonate particles, to prepare high molecular weight polycarbonates, and to reduce bisphenol A (BPA) content in polycarbonate resins. In the side work, new model framework based on the moment method has been developed to calculate and control sequence length for radical copolymerization processes.