Luminescent Ionogels with Excellent Transparency, High Mechanical Strength, and High Conductivity

Abstract

The paper describes a new kind of ionogel with both good mechanical strength and high conductivity synthesized by confining the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf2]) within an organic–inorganic hybrid host. The organic–inorganic host network was synthesized by the reaction of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of a coupling agent, offering the good mechanical strength and rapid shape recovery of the final products. The silane coupling agent 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570) plays an important role in improving the mechanical strength of the inorganic–organic hybrid, because it covalently connected the organic component MMA and the inorganic component SiO2. Both the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the ionogel significantly increased by the addition of IL. The immobilization of [Bmim][NTf2] within the ionogel provided the final ionogel with an ionic conductivity as high as ca. 0.04 S cm−1 at 50 °C. Moreover, the hybrid ionogel can be modified with organosilica-modified carbon dots within the network to yield a transparent and flexible ionogel with strong excitation-dependent emission between 400 and 800 nm. The approach is, therefore, a blueprint for the construction of next-generation multifunctional ionogels.

Organosilicon‐Based Carbon Dots and Their Versatile Applications

“…[152] Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society was selectively enhanced at long wavelengths. The highly flexible, transparent, and luminescent gel was prepared by a two-step method by Tao et al [148] The gels exhibit high ionic conductivity over a range of temperatures, and thus are expected to be promising solid electrolytes for electronic devices. In addition, organosilicon is also widely used to disperse CDs that have not been functionalized with organosilicon.…”

Methyl Methacrylate-Based Copolymers: Recent Developments in the Areas of Transparent and Stretchable Active Matrices

“…) ionic liquid within a PMMA and organosilica polymer network. 81 The polymer/silica interface imbibed the ionogel with adjustable mechanical properties, good transparency, and high flexibility. On the other hand, the ionic liquid immobilized in the hybrid polymer gel was responsible for the high conductivity value of 0.04 S cm −1 at 50 °C.…”

“…Recently, Tao et al have developed a luminescent ionogel by confining a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf 2 ]) ionic liquid within a PMMA and organosilica polymer network. 81 The polymer/silica interface imbibed the ionogel with adjustable mechanical properties, good transparency, and high flexibility. On the other hand, the ionic liquid immobilized in the hybrid polymer gel was responsible for the high conductivity value of 0.04 S cm –1 at 50 °C.…”