Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Major
Chemistry
Minor
Biology
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
2nd Student Major
Chemistry
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Sourav Chatterjee, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
In recent years, there has been increased research interest in creating electrically conductive polymer membranes with materials that are widely available and environmentally safe. Herein, we report how polymeric membranes comprised of unique combinations of ionenes and poly(ionic liquids), including a recently developed sulfonimide- and imidazolium-containing methacryloxy-based monomer, were produced via UV photopolymerization. These membranes were specifically tailored to exhibit both ionic conductivity and an affinity for carbon dioxide, which are both crucial characteristics in such applications as electron transport in lithium-ion batteries and gas sorbency in separation techniques. Monomers, such as the aforementioned methacryloxy-based ionic liquid (IL) and C4VIm, were combined with 10 wt % tri-functional crosslinker and 2 wt % photoinitiator to create basic single-network membranes with tri-functional crosslinker bridges. Additionally, polymer components were dissolved and combined with the monomer-based mixtures to form semi-interpenetrating networks and double networks. Imidazolium, which is generally available in low-cost and environmentally friendly materials, appears in many roles in these networks, including as an electrostatic counterpart in the methacryloxy-based IL. Notably, this IL features an ether functional group bonded to the imidazolium ring, which we hypothesize will increase affinity for quadrupolar carbon dioxide molecules. This affinity, along with the durability and flexibility provided by the polymeric ionene framework, are traits that are paramount in the gas separation strategies for which these membranes are designed.
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Included in
Synthesis and Characterization of Semi-Interpenetrating and Double Networks of Sulfonimide- and Imidazolium-Containing Poly(ionic liquids)
In recent years, there has been increased research interest in creating electrically conductive polymer membranes with materials that are widely available and environmentally safe. Herein, we report how polymeric membranes comprised of unique combinations of ionenes and poly(ionic liquids), including a recently developed sulfonimide- and imidazolium-containing methacryloxy-based monomer, were produced via UV photopolymerization. These membranes were specifically tailored to exhibit both ionic conductivity and an affinity for carbon dioxide, which are both crucial characteristics in such applications as electron transport in lithium-ion batteries and gas sorbency in separation techniques. Monomers, such as the aforementioned methacryloxy-based ionic liquid (IL) and C4VIm, were combined with 10 wt % tri-functional crosslinker and 2 wt % photoinitiator to create basic single-network membranes with tri-functional crosslinker bridges. Additionally, polymer components were dissolved and combined with the monomer-based mixtures to form semi-interpenetrating networks and double networks. Imidazolium, which is generally available in low-cost and environmentally friendly materials, appears in many roles in these networks, including as an electrostatic counterpart in the methacryloxy-based IL. Notably, this IL features an ether functional group bonded to the imidazolium ring, which we hypothesize will increase affinity for quadrupolar carbon dioxide molecules. This affinity, along with the durability and flexibility provided by the polymeric ionene framework, are traits that are paramount in the gas separation strategies for which these membranes are designed.