Ionic polymer-metal composite performance properties

The forth direction, analytical modeling for understanding the behaviors of these materials, has been popular approach. Testing and characterization have been conducted for developing the models. Such attempts have been done especially for ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs)[58, 70, 72, 120]. Nemab Nasser and his co-workers carried out extensive experimental studies on both Nafion- and Flemion-based IPMCs consisting of a thin perfluorinated ionomer in various cation forms, seeking to imderstand the fundamental properties of these composites, to explore the mechanism of their actuation, and finally, to optimize their performance for various potential applications[121]. They also performed a systematic experimental evaluation of the mechanical response of both metal-plated and bare Nafion and Flemion in various cation forms and various water saturation levels. They attempted to identify potential micromechanisms responsible for the observed electromechanical behavior of these materials, model them, and compare the model results with experimental data[122]. A computational micromechanics model has been developed to model the initial fast electromechanical response in these ionomeric materials[123]. A number... 

Table 9.1 Performance properties of typical IPMCs (Reproduced with permission from IS. Park, K. M. Jung, D. Kim, et al. Physical principles of Ionic polymer-metal composites as electroactive actuators and sensors, MRS Bulletin, 33, 3, 190-5. Copyright (2008) MRS)...

The polymer component in these batteries fulfills the function of a medium for ionic transport and a separator. The polymers are polyethers, PEO, or PPO. However, the lithium salts, dissolved in these polymers, have 100-fold lower conductivity than that of a lithium salt dissolved in water. The low conductivity below 70 °C, the reactivity of the interface with the lithium metal electrode, and the issues related to mechanical properties and electrochemical stability need to be resolved before the lithium polymer battery has acceptable performance. The use of inorganic composite membranes, described in a subsequent section, has been shown to result in improved ionic conductivity. 

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