Polymerised high internal phase ionic liquid-in-oil emulsions as potential separators for lithium ion batteries

In situ ionic liquid (IL) filled poly(merized) high internal phase emulsion monoliths and films were produced by polymerizing surfactant stabilized IL/monomer emulsion templates. The resulting in situ ionic liquid filled macroporous polymers have almost the ionic conductivity of the neat ionic liquid electrolyte. The effect of surfactant and lithium salt concentration, monomer to crosslinker ratio as well as internal phase volume ratio on the morphology and ionic conductivity were studied. It was found that the morphology of the resulting polyHIPEs affects significantly their ionic conductivity. PolyHIPEs with bigger pore throats have a higher ionic conductivity.