Synthesis, polymerization and conducting properties of an ionic liquid-type anionic monomer

The synthesis of a new ionic liquid-type monomer has been performed by association of a methacrylate polymerizable group, a polar tri(ethylene oxide) (TEO) spacer, a trifluoromethane sulfonic (TFSI−) anion and a free imidazolium (EMIm+) cation. The ionic liquid monomer (ILM) has demonstrated a good thermal stability and a high ionic conductivity around 2.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 20 °C. The corresponding homopolymer has shown an ionic conductivity closely related to the monomer (6.5 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 20 °C), which confirms the ILM as a valuable monomer for the formation of polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) materials.