Influence of terminal phenyl groups on the side chains of phosphazene polymers: Structure - Property relationships and polymer electrolyte behavior

Denise A. Conner, Daniel T. Welna, Chang Youngkyu, Harry R. Allcock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

A series of single- and mixed-substituent polyphosphazenes with a combination of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy and 2-(2-phenoxyethoxy)ethoxy side groups were synthesized and evaluated to determine the effect of variations in side group ratios on the physical properties and ionic conductivity of gels. The 2-(2-phenoxyethoxy)ethoxy side groups increased the Tg values of both the solid polyphosphazenes and the gel electrolytes relative to the control polymer poly[bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)phosphazene] (MEEP) but decreased the ionic conductivity. Specifically, as the content of 2-(2-phenoxyethoxy) ethoxy side groups increased, the glass transition temperatures (Tg) also increased, from -79°C for MEEP to -21°C for poly[bis(2-(2- phenoxyethoxy)ethoxy)phosphazene]. A gel polymer electrolyte derived from MEEP had an ionic conductivity of 3.9 × 10-4 S/cm at 25°C, one of the highest measured for a MEEP-type system. The gel electrolyte derived from the polymer with all phenyl-terminated substituents had an ionic conductivity of 1.8 × 10-5 S/cm at 25°C, and those from mixed-substituent polymers increased with increasing 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy side group content. The gel electrolyte derived from a polymer with a 60:40 ratio of 2-(2-metnoxyethoxy)ethoxy to 2-(2-phenoxyethoxy)ethoxy side groups gave the best compromise between dimensional stability and conductivity, with a Tg of -61°C and an ionic conductivity of 1.2 × 10 -4 S/cm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)322-328
Number of pages7
JournalMacromolecules
Volume40
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 23 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Influence of terminal phenyl groups on the side chains of phosphazene polymers: Structure - Property relationships and polymer electrolyte behavior'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this