Characterization of PVdF(HFP) Gel Electrolytes Based on 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

Abstract

Poly(vinylidenefluoride)-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF(HFP))-ionic liquid gel electrolytes were prepared using ionic liquids based on 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate. A conventional metathesis reaction was used to prepare these ionic liquids, which have high purity and exhibit a liquid state at room temperature. The prepared polymer-ionic liquid gel proved to be a free-standing and rubbery film in which the degree of transparency differed according to the ratio and type of ionic liquid used. TGA and FTIR analyses confirmed that the solvent, N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAC), used for mixing PVdF(HFP) polymer with ionic liquid was almost totally removed during the gelling and drying processes. SEM photographs were taken of the surface structure of the PVdF(HFP)-ionic liquid gel in order to evaluate the morphology of the film's surface according to the mixing ratio and the nature of the ionic liquid. The thermal behaviors of PVdF(HFP)-ionic liquid gels were observed to be similar to those of neat ionic liquids through DSC analysis, and the compatibility between the polymer and ionic liquid was investigated by XRD analysis. The ionic conductivities of all the gels were 10(-3)-10(-5) S cm(-1) in a temperature range of 20-70 degrees C.