Conductive composites of polyurethane resins and ionic liquids

Composites of PUR and IL were prepared and specific conductivities and Shore A hardness were determined. IL were based on 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts with counterions BF4-, PF6-, triflate, or ethylsulfate. Presence of IL increased the conductivity by five orders of magnitude. Variation of alkyl chain length and nature of counterions only had little effect on the conductivity. Presence of IL had a plasticizing effect, which was most pronounced for the IL with dodecyl groups and PF6- as counterion. In broadband dielectric measurements, the complex conductivity showed a characteristic dispersion that is caused by the interplay between (hopping) transport of charge carriers and electrode polarization.