Anomalous Formation of Ion Conducting Polymer-Networks in Polymer Films

Abstract

An amphiphilic graft-copolymer consisting of ionic segments (quaternary ammonium groups) and aliphatic polyester segments which are compatible with various polymers was synthesized by radical copolymerization of a (methacryloxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride and a poly(β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) macromer. Polymer blends containing this graft-copolymer showed both low surface resistance and low volume resistivity, due to the network formation of the graft-copolymer in the polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the graft copolymer forms interconnected granular aggregates, which function as ion-conducting channels.