Ionic Conductivity through Thermoresponsive Polymer Gel: Ordering Matters

Abstract

Thermoreversible polymer gel has been prepared using PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer (Pluronic F77) which self-assembles into different microcrystalline phases like cubic, 2D-hexagonal, and lamellar. Addition of electrolyte (LiI/I(2)) converts the gel into a polymer gel electrolyte (PGE) which exhibits microphase-dependent ionic conductivity. The crystalline phases have been identified by SAXS as a function of the polymer concentration. It is found that the optimum value for the ionic conductivity (≈1 × 10(-3) S x cm(-1)) is achieved in the Im3m phase due to faster diffusion of ions through the 3D-interconnected micellar nanochannels. This fact is further supported by FTIR study, ionic transference number, and diffusion coefficient measurements.