Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Structure-activity relationships of ionogels consisting of thiol-ene photopolymerized poly(ionic liquid) networks and protonated ionic liquids
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Chemistry/Polymer and Materials Science
Minor
Mathematics
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Kevin Miller, PhD
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Ionic Liquids (ILs), salts with melting points typically below 100 °C, have been of growing interest over the past two decades due to their high conductivity, good thermal and electrochemical stability, and low toxicity. Significant research progress has been made on the incorporation of ILs into polymer networks, combining the high ionic conductivity of ILs with the mechanical stability of solid polymers. Ionenes are a class of polymerized ILs (PILs) that contain charged moieties within their polymer backbone (versus pendant), allowing for precise control over the spacing and abundance of ions within the network. This allows for increased tunability of these polymers for particular applications, with some of the most relevant being the use of PILs as specific ion-conducting membranes such as in lithium ion or proton exchange membranes. In this research project, thiol-ene click chemistry) is utilized primarily to explore how the implementation of protonated ILs into a polymer network influences the material’s conducting abilities. A series of ionene networks containing IL-functionalized “ene” monomers were synthesized, several of which were also substituted with sulfonic acid groups. A subsequent series of ionogel networks were made by incorporating a similar but non-polymerizable sulfonic acid-substituted IL. Relationships between network structure and material properties (thermal, mechanical, and conductive capabilities) were then evaluated.
Fall Scholars Week 2024 Event
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Structure-activity relationships of ionogels consisting of thiol-ene photopolymerized poly(ionic liquid) networks and protonated ionic liquids
Ionic Liquids (ILs), salts with melting points typically below 100 °C, have been of growing interest over the past two decades due to their high conductivity, good thermal and electrochemical stability, and low toxicity. Significant research progress has been made on the incorporation of ILs into polymer networks, combining the high ionic conductivity of ILs with the mechanical stability of solid polymers. Ionenes are a class of polymerized ILs (PILs) that contain charged moieties within their polymer backbone (versus pendant), allowing for precise control over the spacing and abundance of ions within the network. This allows for increased tunability of these polymers for particular applications, with some of the most relevant being the use of PILs as specific ion-conducting membranes such as in lithium ion or proton exchange membranes. In this research project, thiol-ene click chemistry) is utilized primarily to explore how the implementation of protonated ILs into a polymer network influences the material’s conducting abilities. A series of ionene networks containing IL-functionalized “ene” monomers were synthesized, several of which were also substituted with sulfonic acid groups. A subsequent series of ionogel networks were made by incorporating a similar but non-polymerizable sulfonic acid-substituted IL. Relationships between network structure and material properties (thermal, mechanical, and conductive capabilities) were then evaluated.
