Ion conductor structural body and process for producing ion conductor structural body

Abstract

An ion conductor structural body having a high ion conductivity and excellent mechanical strength, principally comprising is provided. This ion conductor structural body includes (a) a polymer matrix; (b) a solvent capable of functioning as a plasticizer; and (c) an electrolyte. The polymer matrix (a) includes a polymer chain having at least a segment represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R 1 and R 2 are, respectively, H or an alkyl group of 2 or less carbon atoms, A is a group having at least a polyether group, and R 3 is a group having at least an alkyl group of more than 6 carbon atoms. The main chain portion of the polymer chain and the side chain portion of the segment have an orientation property. The polymer matrix has a cross-linked structure

1 . An ion conductor structural body having a high ion conductivity and excellent mechanical strength comprising:
 (a) a polymer matrix;   (b) a solvent capable of functioning as a plasticizer; and   (c) an electrolyte,   wherein the polymer matrix (a) comprises a polymer chain having at least a segment represented by general formula (1), a main chain portion of the polymer chain and a side chain portion of the segment having an orientation property, and the polymer matrix has a cross-linked structure   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  and R 2  are, respectively, H or an alkyl group of 2 or fewer carbon atoms, A is a group having at least a polyether group, and R 3  is a group having at least an alkyl group of 6 or more carbon atoms, 
         wherein R 3  in the general formula (1) is a straight chain alkyl group of 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an alkyl benzyl group having a straight chain alkyl group of 6 to 22 carbon atoms, 
         wherein a molecular weight ratio of the alkyl group of R 3  to the polyether group of A is from 0.05 to 3.0, and 
         wherein the ion conductor structural body includes a retaining material comprising at least one kind of a material selected from the group consisting of a powdery resin material, a powdery glass material, a powdery ceramic material, a nonwoven fabric and a porous film. 
       
     
     
         2 . A process for producing an ion conductor structural body comprising at least a polymer matrix, a solvent capable of functioning as a plasticizer and an electrolyte, the process comprising the steps of:
 (a) mixing (i) a monomer represented by the following general formula (3), (ii) a solvent and (iii) an electrolyte to obtain a mixture; and   (b) subjecting the mixture to a polymerization treatment by way of a polymerization reaction to form a polymer matrix as the ion conductor structural body   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  and R 2  is, respectively, H or an alkyl group of 2 or fewer carbon atoms, A is a group comprising at least a polyether group, and R 3  is a group having at least an alkyl group of 6 or more carbon atoms, 
         wherein a weight ratio of the solvent to the polymer matrix is from 1 to 20, and 
         wherein a molecular weight ratio of the alkyl group of R 3  to the polyether group of A is from 0.05 to 3.0.