Several 1,2,3-triazolium-functionalized cellulose derivatives were prepared using an azide-alkyne ‘click’ cyclization strategy, followed by quaternization. As cellulose represents a cheap, sustainable biomacromolecule, the ability to generate conductive materials through simple functionalizion of the backbone with an ionic liquid is of great interest. Three different counteranions ([Br], [OTf] and [NTf2]) were employed in order to explore the interplay between thermal, conductive, and morphological properties. Functionalization of native cellulose resulted in the observation of a Tg, the values of which were inversely related to the size of the counteranion. Morphological analysis of the derivatives indicated that the materials were amorphous in nature, showing a clear nanophase separation dependent on the type of anion. By simply quaternizing the 1,2,3-triazole ring to produce the corresponding ionic moiety, the ionic conductivity of the material was increased by ~ 6-orders of magnitude at higher temperatures as compared to the native samples. Ionic conductivity was observed to have an Arrhenius (linear) behavior and was enhanced up to 4-orders of magnitude upon exposure to humidity. The results provided evidence to suggest that the thermal and ionic conductivity properties are dependent on anion basicity and hydration. Furthermore, this rather simple functionalization technique to modify cellulose opens the door to a vast array of possible ion-contucting side structures and properties.

Cellulose-based, 1,2,3-triazolium-functionalized polymerized ionic liquids: thermal properties, ionic conductivities and morphological analysis

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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