POS5-1508
Modular design of ion-conducting polymer films with tunable nanostructures
When and Where
Nov 30, -0001
00:00 - 00:00
Presenter(s)
Dunja Asceric (University of Graz)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Ion-conducting polymers with well-defined nanoscale morphologies are becoming increasingly important for applications in electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Their performance is largely determined by the size, connectivity, and organization of the ionic domains, therefore detailed structural characterization is essential for understanding and optimizing ion transport. Depending on the incorporated functional groups, these polymers can be designed as either anion- or proton-conducting materials and thus represent promising candidates for anion-exchange membrane (AEM) and proton-exchange membrane (PEM) technologies. This work investigates a modular platform of ion-conducting polymer thin films to identify structure-property relationships that govern ion transport. Various fabrication and coating methods were systematically examined to optimize the production of homogeneous, thin films while preserving their self-organized nanostructures. The influence of these fabrication processes on the resulting nanoscale morphology was investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This allowed for the identification of different self-organized structures that can be correlated with ionic conductivity. This approach is applicable to both anion- and cation-conducting polymer systems and enables a direct comparison of their structural organization and transport behavior. These results provide valuable insights into the relationship between nanoscale morphology and ion transport and support the targeted development and optimization of the next generation of ion-conducting polymers.
