Method for controlling morphology and improving conductivity of polymer electrolytes using terminal functional groups

Polymer electrolyte with gyroid structure induced by sulfonic acid end-group modification

This technology improves ionic conductivity by modifying the ends of polyethylene oxide (PEO) blocks with sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H) or sulfonic acid metal salt groups (-SO3M), thereby controlling the interactions and nanostructures (specifically the gyroid structure) of the block copolymer.

Existing PEO-based block copolymers have faced challenges where controlling nanostructures through changes in block type or molecular weight could unintentionally have a negative impact on ion diffusion constants and conductivity.

By modifying the PEO block ends of the block copolymer with -SO3H or -SO3M (where M is an alkali metal ion), this technology can be utilized to reliably secure the properties required for secondary battery electrolytes.

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Key Features:

• A polymer electrolyte comprising an organic block copolymer that includes a hydrophobic block and a polyethylene oxide block with ends modified by sulfonic acid groups.
• A configuration in which at least a portion of the sulfonic acid groups are substituted with alkali metal ions and the polyethylene oxide block possesses a gyroid nanostructure.
• A configuration that controls nanostructure by modifying the ends of the polyethylene oxide block with sulfonic acid groups or sulfonic acid metal salt groups.
• A configuration that improves ionic conductivity by controlling the interactions and gyroid structure of the block copolymer using terminal functional groups.

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