Metal oxide cluster-integrated polymer networks for robust solid-state single-ion conduction at high temperatures

Abstract

Ion conduction at high temperatures is critical for the improvement of working efficiency and stability of energy-conversion and -storage devices. Ceramics and highly rigid polymers are generally applied for achieving this; however, their poor processability and mechanical properties hinder their extensive applications. Herein, a sub-nanometer anionic metal oxide cluster ({V6O13[(OCH2)3CR]2}2−) was covalently integrated into polymer networks for high-temperature solid-state conduction of H+ and Li+ single-ion electrolytes. The hexavanadate cluster was functionalized with acrylate groups, and it served as a nanoscale bifunctional crosslinker to copolymerize with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate for the fabrication of polymer networks. The associated counter-cations of the immobilized hexavanadate could be fully solvated in the melts of poly(ethylene glycol) for realizing high mobilities, contributing to promising single-ion conductivities and achieving an Li+ transference number of 0.84. According to dielectric spectroscopy studies, the transport of Li+ ions was directly mediated by side chain dynamics. The counter-cations could be feasibly switched for the conduction of various cations, such as H+ and Li+. Meanwhile, the covalent and supramolecular interactions between the polymer and inorganic hexavanadate afforded enhanced stability and robust ionic conduction at temperatures as high as 200 °C. Thus, this work provides versatile platform chemical systems for robust solid-state single-ion conduction at high temperatures.

Graphical abstract: Metal oxide cluster-integrated polymer networks for robust solid-state single-ion conduction at high temperatures

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 Apr 2025
Accepted
16 Jun 2025
First published
17 Jun 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Appl. Polym., 2025, Advance Article

Metal oxide cluster-integrated polymer networks for robust solid-state single-ion conduction at high temperatures

J. Deng, L. Ma, L. Liu, W. Sun, Y. Liu and P. Yin, RSC Appl. Polym., 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5LP00125K

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