Crystallization-induced toughening mechanism in polymer electrolyte

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14679
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 35020:Polymer materials-related
• Research Institution: Gifu University (2022-2023); The University of Tokyo (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Hashimoto Kei 岐阜大学, 工学部, 助教 (20888276)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 電気化学材料 / イオン液体 / 高分子網目 / 伸張誘起結晶化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The development of devices that can be attached to the skin or clothing not only makes our society more convenient and prosperous but also contributes to urgent applications, such as in the medical field. However, the materials used for such devices need to possess "flexibility" to follow the movements of the body, "toughness" to withstand repeated deformation without breaking, and the ability to conduct electricity. We have realized such materials by developing a "tough ion gel" containing salts, utilizing a "polymer network that crystallizes in response to stretching and becomes tough."

Free Research Field

高分子材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

イオンゲル（塩と高分子網目からなる材料）において、高分子が延伸に応答して強靭化する「伸張誘起結晶化」を初めて報告しました。特に、最初から結晶化した高分子と伸張誘起結晶化を組み合わせて「硬さと強靭さを兼ね備えた材料」を作るという発想に学術的新規性があります。このような材料は、柔軟なデバイスへの応用に繋がります。例えば、医療分野では患者の体に貼るセンサーやモニター、Internet of Things（IoT）の分野では、衣服や日用品に取り付けるデバイスなど、多くの場面での利用が見込まれます。これにより、医療の進展や生活の利便性向上に大きく貢献できるため、高い社会的意義も見込まれます。