Counterion dynamics in polyester-sulfonate ionomers with ionic liquid counterions

Conventional sodium cations (Na⁺) in sulfonated polyester ionomers were replaced with ammonium-based ionic liquid counterions. Counterion dynamics were measured by dielectric spectroscopy and linear viscoelastic response via oscillatory shear. Ion exchange from sodium counterions to ionic liquid counterions such as tetramethylammonium and tetrabutylammonium showed an order of 10⁴ increase in conductivity compared with sodium counterions, primarily attributed to weaker ionic interactions that lower the glass transition temperature. Electrode polarization was used in conjunction with the 1953 Macdonald model to determine the number density of conducting counterions and their mobility. Conductivity and mobility exhibit Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) temperature dependences and both increased with counterion size. Conducting counterion concentrations showed Arrhenius temperature dependences, with activation energy reduced as counterion size increased. When ether-oxygen was incorporated into the mobile cation structure, self-solvating ability notably increased the conducting ion concentration. Weakened ion pairing interactions prove favorable for fundamental design of single-ion conductors for actuators, as ionic liquid counterions can provide both larger and faster strains, required by such electro-active devices.