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© National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC 2021
M. Alston, T. N. Lambert (eds.), Energy-Sustainable Advanced Materials,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57492-5_4
Polymer Nanocomposites for Ion Transport
Christina A. Bauer
Abstract Directional movement of ions between electrodes in a safe, rapid, and
efficient manner requires rational design of functional solid-state electrolytes.
Although liquid and polymer electrolytes have resulted in major technological
breakthroughs, the next generation structures aim to make green energy solutions
more widespread and feasible. Nanostructures offer the ability to construct complex, tailored assemblies that can address the current limitations to ion mobility in
solid materials by providing liquid-like movement in the solid state, expanding
operational voltage windows, and improving durability and temperature stability.
Two types of polymeric nanocomposites will be addressed here: (1) Hybrid materials that consist of organic polymers with inorganic nanoparticles and (2) Porous
coordination polymers, including metal organic frameworks and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks. The ability to tailor such porous coordination polymers in all
aspects—the metal, the organic linker, and the identity of the guests—make these
viable candidates for future green energy solutions. The current progress in applications toward fuel cells (acidic and basic), batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells
will be summarized and described here, along with a perspective on challenges and
future directions.
Keywords Nanocomposites · Metal organic frameworks · Ion conductivity ·
Solid-state electrolytes · Coordination polymers · Batteries · Lithium ion batteries ·
Supercapacitors · Green energy · Fuel cells · Solar cells · Dye-sensitized solar cells
· Anion-exchange fuel cells · Cation-exchange fuel cells
1 Introduction
Practical, clean energy storage solutions are of tremendous interest. The threat of an
unstable oil market, the need to supply electrical power in remote locations and
under extreme conditions, and the desire to increase the efficiency of energy conversion while reducing greenhouse gas output have culminated in a boom in research
C. A. Bauer (*)
Department of Chemistry, Whittier College, Whittier, CA, USA
e-mail: cbauer@whittier.edu
© National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC 2021
M. Alston, T. N. Lambert (eds.), Energy-Sustainable Advanced Materials,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57492-5_4
Polymer Nanocomposites for Ion Transport
Christina A. Bauer
Abstract Directional movement of ions between electrodes in a safe, rapid, and
efficient manner requires rational design of functional solid-state electrolytes.
Although liquid and polymer electrolytes have resulted in major technological
breakthroughs, the next generation structures aim to make green energy solutions
more widespread and feasible. Nanostructures offer the ability to construct complex, tailored assemblies that can address the current limitations to ion mobility in
solid materials by providing liquid-like movement in the solid state, expanding
operational voltage windows, and improving durability and temperature stability.
Two types of polymeric nanocomposites will be addressed here: (1) Hybrid materials that consist of organic polymers with inorganic nanoparticles and (2) Porous
coordination polymers, including metal organic frameworks and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks. The ability to tailor such porous coordination polymers in all
aspects—the metal, the organic linker, and the identity of the guests—make these
viable candidates for future green energy solutions. The current progress in applications toward fuel cells (acidic and basic), batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells
will be summarized and described here, along with a perspective on challenges and
future directions.
Keywords Nanocomposites · Metal organic frameworks · Ion conductivity ·
Solid-state electrolytes · Coordination polymers · Batteries · Lithium ion batteries ·
Supercapacitors · Green energy · Fuel cells · Solar cells · Dye-sensitized solar cells
· Anion-exchange fuel cells · Cation-exchange fuel cells
1 Introduction
Practical, clean energy storage solutions are of tremendous interest. The threat of an
unstable oil market, the need to supply electrical power in remote locations and
under extreme conditions, and the desire to increase the efficiency of energy conversion while reducing greenhouse gas output have culminated in a boom in research
C. A. Bauer (*)
Department of Chemistry, Whittier College, Whittier, CA, USA
e-mail: cbauer@whittier.edu