We have developed ionic vitrimers that take inspiration from poly(ionic liquid)s which are unique polyelectrolytes with cationic and anionic groups included in the repeating unit. A broad library of ionic vitrimers have been prepared by the solvent- and catalyst-free polymerization of different α-azide-ω-alkyne monomers and concomitant N-alkylation of the resulting poly(1,2,3-triazole)s with a series of difunctional cross-linkers. Temperature-induced trans-N-alkylation exchanges between 1,2,3-triazolium cross-links and halide-functionalized dangling chains enable to recycle and reprocess these highly cross-linked permanent networks. These vitrimers can also be recycled by depolymerization with specific solvents able to displace the trans-N-alkylation equilibrium, and display a great potential for applications that require solid electrolytes with excellent mechanical performances and facile processing such as supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells and separation membranes.

Ionic vitrimers through trans-N-alkylation covalent exchanges

256th National Meeting (2018)

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