Discotic side group liquid crystal polymer electrolytes

The synthesis and characterization is reported of a novel discotic side group polymer based on a predominantly poly(ethylene oxide) backbone to which are attached triphenylene-based mesogenic groups via flexible spacers. The thermal and mechanical behavior of this polymer and its complex with lithium perchlorate are compared. The addition of salt increased both the glass transition temperature and clearing point of the host polymer. The temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity of the polymer-salt complex is reported and reveals that ionic conduction can occur in essentially solid-like liquid crystal polymer electrolytes. Ion transport in this material presumably involves assistance from local segmental motions of the backbone but does not rely upon long range cooperative motions.