RUI: Synthesis and Characterization of Dicarboximide-functionalized Oxanorbornyl Polymers for Use in Ion Transport Membranes

技术综述：为改善锂离子电池中固体聚合物电解质载体的性能和安全性，将合成新材料。将使用开环复分解技术合成基于两种类型的二甲亚胺-氧代-龙脑基单体的聚合物，从而形成相当坚硬和笨重的主链。这种主链可能有助于更有效地将离子运动从聚合物链段运动中分离出来。具有不同长度的环氧乙烷侧链和相对分子质量的聚合物将被研究以最大限度地提高锂离子的导电性。因此，优化后的单体将与具有显著更高玻璃化转变温度的第二单体并入双嵌段和随机共聚物中。随机共聚物的组成将进行评估，其中离子导电性与由于较高的玻璃化转变单体而增加的模数保持平衡。我们将研究两嵌段共聚物体系的相图，其中一个嵌段使用最佳的环氧乙烷侧链，另一个嵌段具有高玻璃化转变，以了解微相分离形态(例如片状或圆柱状)如何有助于离子导电性。聚合物结构和动力学的表征将包括介电光谱、X射线和中子散射、原子力显微镜，可能还有固态核磁共振。这项研究还包括一个共享部分，其中一些表征将在NSF资助的设备上进行，并与其他大学和国家用户设施实验室的合作者一起进行。本科生研究人员将在三年的时间里进行这项研究。非技术总结：这项研究项目将创造和研究用于锂离子电池膜的战略性定制材料。这些新的薄膜可能会提高锂离子电池的安全性和性能，有利于对更好和更安全的能量存储系统日益增长的需求。这些新材料可能会使锂电池变得更轻、更小，并且使用比传统材料易燃得多的材料。这项研究将包括一些更广泛的影响。我们未来的科学工作队伍将受益于本科生直接参与和教育这项研究的各个方面。将与其他地方和国立大学的科学家建立合作关系，并将在这些研究中利用联邦支持的国家用户设施，如橡树岭国家实验室。此外，还将通过涉及数学、工程和科学成就(MESA)计划的外联活动，增加未被充分代表的高中生接触科学的机会。这些活动将包括本科生在聚合物科学体验式学习活动中的指导，化学演示，以及现代科学仪器的演示。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:New materials will be synthesized with the goal of improving the function and safety of solid polymer electrolyte supports in lithium ion batteries. Polymers based on two types of dicarboximide oxanorbornyl monomers will be synthesized using ring opening metathesis techniques creating a fairly rigid and bulky backbone. This backbone may assist in more effectively decoupling ionic motion from polymer segmental motion. Polymers with varying lengths of ethylene oxide side chains and molecular weights will be investigated to maximize lithium ion conductivity. Accordingly, the optimized monomers will be incorporated into diblock and random copolymers with a second monomer that has a substantially higher glass transition temperature. The random copolymers will be evaluated at compositions where the ionic conductivity is balanced with increased modulus due to the higher glass transition monomer. The phase diagram of a diblock copolymer system with one block using the optimal ethylene oxide side chain and the other block having a high glass transition will be studied to understand how the microphase separated morphology (e.g., lamellae or cylinder) might benefit ionic conductivity. Characterization of the polymer structure and dynamics will include dielectric spectroscopy, X-ray and neutron scattering, atomic force microscopy, and possibly solid-state NMR. This research also includes a shared component where some of the characterization will be conducted on NSF funded equipment and with collaborators at other universities, and at national user facility laboratories. Undergraduate student researchers will carry out this research over the course of three years.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This research project will create and study strategically tailored materials for use as membranes in lithium ion batteries. These new membranes may lead to improved safety and performance in lithium ion batteries, benefiting the growing necessity for better and safer energy storage systems. These new materials might allow lithium batteries to be lighter, smaller, and constructed out of materials that are much less flammable than conventional materials. This research will include a number of broader impacts. Our future scientific work force will be benefited by direct involvement and education of undergraduate students in all aspects of this research. Collaborations will be established with scientists at other local and national universities, and federally supported national user facilities will be utilized in these studies such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Also, increased exposure of underrepresented high school students to science will take place through outreach activities involving the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program. These activities will include mentoring by undergraduate research students in polymer science experiential learning activities, chemical demonstrations, and demonstrations of modern scientific instrumentation.