Ion conducting elastomer designed from thiourea-based dynamic covalent bonds with reprocessing capability

• Published in: Materials today chemistry Vol. 30; p. 101583
• Main Authors: Kim, B., Cho, Y.J., Kim, D.-G., Seo, J.-H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Conducting elastomer; Dynamic covalent bond; Polymer electrolyte; Thiourea; Vitrimer; Dynamic covalent bond; Thiourea; Conducting elastomer; Polymer electrolyte; Vitrimer
• ISSN: 2468-5194; 2468-5194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2023.101583

Developing ion conducting elastomer (ICE) that possesses reprocessing capability is highly desirable to avoid resource wastage and environmental crises. However, elastomers with covalent cross-linking are difficult to reprocess due to their thermosets properties. To address this challenge, a thiourea-based dynamic covalent network was employed to design the ICE. An analysis of the interaction between the lithium salt and the polymer chain resulted in the selection of LiTFSI. Furthermore, the finding from the analysis confirmed that not only the formation but also the behavior of the dynamic covalent network was affected by the interactions between the polymer chain and lithium salts. The resulting dynamic covalent elastomer can be repeatedly reprocessed through various methods (hot-press and solution processes) and exhibits proper dimensional stability and ionic conductivity (∼4.6 × 10−4 S/cm at 25 °C). [Display omitted] •Thiourea-based dynamic covalent ion conducting elastomer (TDICE) is successfully fabricated.•The optimal salt was selected by analyzing the interaction between the polymer chains and the lithium salts.•The TDICE can be reprocessed due to dissociative thiourea moieties.•The TDICE exhibit an excellent ability to maintain ionic conductivity despite repeated reprocessing.