Synthesis of Polyethylene Glycol Derivatives with A-B-A Triblock Structure Using t-Bu-P4 Catalyst for All-solid-state Li-S Battery Electrolyte

Abstract

Aliphatic polyether is widely used for many industrial parts because of its unique properties such as low Tg, high flexibility, hydrophilicity of the C-O-C bonds. To synthesize polyethers, conventionally anionic ring opening polymerization is used and also many catalyst systems have been introduced. In present research, by introducing t-Bu-P4 base catalyst system, we polymerized epoxy derivatives with controlled molecular weight and PDI. By using dialcohol as an initiator, we synthesized A-B-A triblock polymer which can be used for lithium polymer batteries’ electrolyte. The B block’s side chains can prevent its crystallization and increase its ionic conductivity at room temperature. The homopolymer of B block shows liquid state at RT, therefore by introducing the A block which plays a role in hard segment we can achieve its solidification. We observed the microphaseseparation between the A and B block and the relationship between their morphology and ionic conductivity.