Ionic Gel Film via UV Photopolymerization for High Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The significant decline in ionic conductivity of poly(ionic liquid)s limits their applications due to the integration of ionic liquids with traditional polymer substrates, making existing ionic gel preparation processes time-consuming and inefficient for industrial use.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the blending of a vinyl-free ionic liquid with a vinyl-containing ionic liquid and additives to form a homogeneous solution, which is then cured with ultraviolet light to create an ionic gel film that maintains high ionic conductivity while restricting fluidity, using a poly(ionic liquid) matrix.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If ionic liquids are integrated with traditional polymer substrates to prepare ionic gels, then the fluidity of ionic liquids is restricted, but the preparation process becomes time-consuming and intricate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluidity restrictionVSAvoidpreparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the preparation parameters from traditional multi-step processes (stirring at 60°C for 3 hours, then curing at 120°C for 24 hours) to a single-step photopolymerization process using UV light irradiation, reducing both time and temperature requirements while achieving the same fluidity restriction effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces thermal curing (heat-based mechanical energy) with photopolymerization (light-based energy), substituting the traditional thermal field with an optical field to achieve faster gel formation without the need for prolonged high-temperature processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If ionic liquid monomers containing vinyl groups are polymerized to form poly(ionic liquid)s, then the fluidity is restricted, but the ionic conductivity decreases by orders of magnitude

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluidity restrictionVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite ionic gel system combining poly(ionic liquid) matrix with vinyl-free ionic liquid monomers, where the polymer network provides structural stability and fluidity restriction while the vinyl-free ionic liquid segments maintain high ionic conductivity pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces local ionic liquid-rich domains within the poly(ionic liquid) matrix where vinyl-free ionic liquid monomers are concentrated, creating localized high-conductivity regions that compensate for the overall polymer structure's lower conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If vinyl-free ionic liquid monomer is compounded with poly(ionic liquid), then high ionic conductivity is maintained, but the preparation process requires optimization for industrial production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidprocess simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary blending of vinyl-free ionic liquid monomer with vinyl-containing ionic liquid monomer and photoinitiator before polymerization, creating a homogeneous precursor mixture that ensures uniform distribution of conductive segments throughout the final gel structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the preparation process into distinct stages: (1) homogeneous solution preparation with controlled ratios of components, (2) photopolymerization under UV irradiation, and (3) film formation, allowing each stage to be optimized independently for industrial scalability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method results in a simpler, faster preparation process suitable for large-scale industrial production, maintaining high ionic conductivity and ensuring consistent film thickness, enabling broader applications in chemical sensing and other fields.

Implementation Method 1

curing with ultraviolet light of a preset wavelength; curing until the vinyl-containing ionic liquid polymerizes in situ to form an ionic gel film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12104028B2Ionic gel film preparation method, chemical sensor and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 TONGJI UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an ionic gel film preparation method, a chemical sensor and preparation method thereof, relating to the field of sensor technology. The preparation method of ionic gel film includes: blending a vinyl-free ionic liquid with a vinyl-containing ionic liquid and a specified additive to obtain a homogenous solution, taking a predetermined amount of the homogenous solution and dropping it onto a first substrate equipped with interdigital electrodes, flattening the homogenous solution on the first substrate using a second substrate, curing the flattened homogenous solution on the first substrate using ultraviolet light of a preset wavelength, and curing until the vinyl-containing ionic liquid polymerizes in situ to form an ionic gel film. The preparation method of ionic gel film, chemical sensor, and preparation method thereof of the present disclosure have the advantages of good device consistency, high conductivity, and good sensing performance when using the ionic gel film.