Bicontinuous cubic (Cubbi) liquid crystals are representative materials that form gyroid-nanostructures with 3D interconnected nanochannels and a 3D continuous surface. Owing to its inherent structural characteristics, they have attracted growing attentions for the development of functional materials including electrolytes, separation membranes, and so on. We have reported molecular technology for inducing Cubbiliquid crystals, which is to use zwitterionic amphiphiles and suitably designed acids. In this system, one end of amphiphile, sulfonic acid group, forms a 3D continuing gyroid surface, resulting in the induction of 3D proton conduction. To enable efficient proton conduction in the order of 10-1S cm-1, it is essential to incorporate a sufficient amount of water molecules onto the gyroid surface in order to form successive hydrogen bonding networks (approximately 10 wt%). We expect the fixation of liquid-crystalline (LC) nanostructures is a promising approach for achieving the construction of such water networks with keeping the gyroid structure. We designed and synthesized a polymerizable zwitterionic amphiphile to fix gyroid nanostructures. By performingin situpolymerization in the Cubbi assembled state, we successfully obtained self-standing polymer films having gyroid nanostructures. The polymer film has an ability to absorb water without losing the molecular assembled nanostructures even in the attached condition with water. We performed alternating current impedance measurements for the water incorporated films. It showed high ionic conductivity in the order of 10-1S cm-1.

Creation of gyroid nanostructured polymer films having 3D continuous aqua-sheet for fast proton conduction

2019 Fall National Meeting

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