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Microstructure and multifunctional properties of liquid + polymer bicomponent structural electrolytes: Epoxy gels and porous monoliths
Author(s) -
Gienger Edwin B.,
Nguyen PhuongAnh T.,
Chin Wai,
Behler Kristopher D.,
Snyder James F.,
Wetzel Eric D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.42681
Subject(s) - electrolyte , materials science , epoxy , propylene carbonate , ethylene carbonate , ethylene glycol , chemical engineering , monolith , supercapacitor , porosity , polymer , microstructure , composite material , electrode , organic chemistry , chemistry , capacitance , catalysis , engineering
Multifunctional structural batteries and supercapacitors have the potential to improve performance and efficiency in advanced lightweight systems. A critical requirement is a structural electrolyte with superior multifunctional performance. We present here structural electrolytes prepared by the integration of liquid electrolytes with structural epoxy networks. Two distinct approaches were investigated: direct blending of an epoxy resin with a poly(ethylene‐glycol) (PEG)‐ or propylene carbonate (PC)‐based liquid electrolyte followed by in‐situ cure of the resin; and formation of a porous neat epoxy sample followed by backfill with a PC‐based electrolyte. The results show that in situ cure of the electrolytes within the epoxy network does not lead to good multifunctional performance due to a combination of plasticization of the structural network and limited percolation of the liquid network. In contrast, addition of a liquid electrolyte to a porous monolith results in both good stiffness and high ionic conductivity that approach multifunctional goals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42681.