Ionoelastomers at Electrified Interfaces: Differential Electric Double-Layer Capacitances of Cross-Linked Polymeric Ions and Mobile Counterions

Ionoelastomers (IEs), consisting solely of cross-linked networks of polymerized ionic liquids (PILs), have gained attention for use in various electrochemical applications due to their unique combination of the electrochemical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) and the solid-state elastic properties of the polymer networks. However, the structure of the electric double layer (EDL) of IEs at electrified surfaces is not well understood, especially when considering that one of the ionic species is covalently bound to the cross-linked polymer network. Herein, we investigate the differential EDL capacitances of cross-linked polymeric ions and counterions in IEs. A pair of IEs with opposite polarity are prepared; the polycationic IE with cross-linked imidazolium cations and free bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide (TFSI) anions and the polyanionic IE with cross-linked sulfonimide anions and free 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMIM) cations. By applying two electrodes with a large contrast in surface area, the EDL capacitances of the cross-linked polymeric ions and the mobile counterions can be decoupled. We find that the EDL capacitances of the fixed ions are lower than that of the counterions in both the polyanion and polycation IEs, resulting in a highly asymmetric capacitance response depending on the sign of the applied voltage. Without cross-linking, we observe similar EDL capacitances for polymeric ions and counterions, suggesting that the elastic energy of the cross-linked networks in IEs restricts the freedom of polymeric ions to rearrange at the electrified surfaces, thereby reducing the EDL capacitance.

Automated summary

Ionoelastomers, consisting of cross-linked networks of polymerized ionic liquids, have unique electrochemical properties. This study investigates the structure of the electric double layer (EDL) at electrified surfaces of IEs and finds that the capacitance of fixed ions is lower than that of counterions in both polyanion and polycation IEs, resulting in an asymmetric capacitance response depending on the applied voltage. The elastic energy of the cross-linked networks restricts the rearrangement of polymeric ions at the electrified surfaces, thereby reducing the EDL capacitance.