Abstract:
Provided herein is a class of copolymers, including triblock brush copolymers having specific block configurations, for example, ABC triblock brush copolymers and ABA triblock brush copolymers. In an embodiment, for example, copolymers of the invention incorporate various polymer side chain groups which contribute beneficial physical, chemical, or electronic properties such as increased mechanical or elastic strength, improved ionic or electric conductivity. In some embodiments, the provided copolymers exhibit advantageous steric properties allowing for rapid self-assembly into a variety of morphologies that are substantially different than non-brush, block copolymers.
Abstract:
Provided herein are copolymer electrolytes and electrocatalyst platforms, including brush block copolymers, triblock brush copolymers and pentablock brush copolymers. The copolymers described have beneficial chemical, physical and electrical properties including high ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. In embodiments, for example, the provided copolymer electrolytes and electrocatalyst platforms are doped with lithium salts or mixed with ionic liquids to form ion gels. In some embodiments, the copolymers provided herein self-assemble into physically cross-linked polymer networks with additional useful properties. The provided copolymers have low dispersity in the polymer side chains and do not require post-polymerization modifications.