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Architected Poly(ionic liquid) Composites with Spatially Programmable Mechanical Properties and Mixed Conductivity
EunBi Oh1, Alexander Q Kane1, Ryan L Truby1,2,3
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 14, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a novel 3D printing method for creating complex structural electrolytes from polymerized ionic liquids (pILs). This technique enables advanced functionalities like self-sensing in lightweight, architected materials for next-generation devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Electrochemistry
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Structural electrolytes, particularly those based on polymerized ionic liquids (pILs), offer superior electrochemical windows, thermal stability, and nonvolatility compared to liquid electrolytes.
- Existing fabrication methods for pIL-based structural electrolytes, including 3D printing, face limitations in achieving complex forms and precise control over mechanical properties and conductivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a new method for fabricating architected polymerized ionic liquid composite structural electrolytes using embedded 3D (EMB3D) printing.
- To demonstrate the capability of creating lightweight, free-standing lattices with tunable functionalities and self-sensing properties.
Main Methods:
- Development of a modular design for formulating ionic liquid (IL) monomer composite inks.
- Utilized embedded 3D (EMB3D) printing to fabricate sparse, lightweight, free-standing pIL composite lattices.
- Characterization of rheological and mechanical properties of inks and printed lattices; demonstration of self-sensing capabilities during cyclic compression.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated complex, architected pIL composite structural electrolytes with controlled mechanical properties and conductivity.
- Demonstrated the self-sensing capabilities of the printed electrolytes, showing responsiveness to mechanical stimuli.
- Achieved spatially programmed self-sensing through heterogeneous architectures and mixed ionic-electronic conductive ink compositions.
Conclusions:
- The EMB3D printing approach offers a versatile, free-form fabrication method for advanced structural electrolytes.
- This technique enables the creation of complex 3D forms with programmable, anisotropic properties for diverse applications.
- Potential applications include next-generation sensors, soft robotics, bioelectronics, and energy storage devices.
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