Ionic conductivity of Ni(ii)-based metallo-supramolecular polymers: effects of ligand modification

Abstract

Ni(II)-based metallo-supramolecular polymers (polyNiL1-4) were synthesized via complexation of Ni(II) ions with bis(1,10-phenanthroline) ligands bearing a different spacer and/or substituents. The ionic conductivity of the polymer films was greatly enhanced with increasing relative humidity. It was also found that the polymer without a hydrophobic spacer (polyNiL3) showed about 500 times as high ionic conductivity as the polymer with a spacer. The ionic conductivity of the polyNiL3 film reached 0.75 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 98%RH.