Super soft elastomers as ionic conductors

Abstract

Melts of linear brush polymers with PEO side chains attached at each repeat unit of the backbones have been doped with CF 3SO 3 −Li +. Mechanical properties and ionic conductivity of such systems have been analyzed using mechanical and dielectric spectroscopies. Mechanical spectra indicated a presence of super soft states for samples with long backbones or for systems which have been slightly cross-linked ( G′<10 4 Pa). In the case of the polymer with longer crystallizing PEO side chains (MW av=1100 g/mol), the ionic conductivity reaching the 10 −3 S/cm level at the optimum CF 3SO 3 −Li + concentration (EO/Li +=10:1) have been detected at temperatures not far above the room temperature. The presence of lithium ions suppresses completely the crystallization of PEO side chains.