Synthesis and characterization of polydioxolane polyurethane ionomer

A series of novel sodium salts of sulfonated polyurethane ionomers with pol ydioxolane as soft segment was successfully synthesized and their propertie s were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (F T-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and complex impedance analysis. As the ionization level increased, the compatibility of the hard segments and soft segments was improved and t he glass transition region of soft segment became broader. The effects of i onization level, temperature, chemical components of soft segment on ionic conductivity of ionomers were investigated in detail. Adjusting the ionizat ion level and incorporating PEG soft segment into the PDXL-PU ionomers, a n ew type of solid polymer electrolyte material with good mechanical properti es and high ionic conductivity could be obtained. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.