CA2206207C

CA2206207C - Ion-conductive polymers

Info

Publication number: CA2206207C
Application number: CA002206207A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Lars Rosenmeier; Boye Cornils Knutz
Original assignee: Danacell ApS
Current assignee: Danacell ApS
Priority date: 1994-12-01
Filing date: 1995-11-30
Publication date: 2001-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-30
Also published as: ATE177248T1; JPH10510090A; WO1996017359A1; ES2132739T3; DK0795182T3; DE69508107D1; AU3979095A; EP0795182B1; EP0795182A1; DE69508107T2; CA2206207A1; US5789106A

Abstract

Ion-conductive polymers with high ion conductivity and containing covalently bound ion complexes of one of formulas (Ia-Ic), wherein M+ is H+, Li+, Na+, or K+; m is an integer in the range 0-4; m' is an integer in the range 0-7; m" is an integer in the range 0-8; and each R independently is halogen; -CO-O-, -CO-O-,M+, or -SO2-O-,M+; cyano; nitro; C1-5 alkoxy; optionally substituted phenyl or phenoxy; -CONR5R6 or -NR5R6 where R5 and R6 independently are hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, phenylcarbonyl, or C1-6 alkanoyl; -N(R5)-CO-R7 where R7 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C2-5 alkenyl, C2-5 alkynyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; R7-CO-, R7-O-CO-, R7-CO-O-, or R7-O-CO-O-; cycloheptatrienyl; or one of the groups R is a ion complex of the type Ia, Ib, or Ic with the proviso that R cannot be a further ion complex of the type Ia, Ib, or Ic; or two groups R bound to two adjacent carbon together form a divalent aliphatic or alicyclic group with 3-8 carbon atoms and having at least 2 C-C double bonds, -CO-O-CO-, -CO-S-CO-, or -CO-N(R7)-CO-; and the free bond "a", either directly or through an intervening group, is bound to the polymer backbone.

Description

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O96/17359 PCT~DK~5/00484 IoN~ u~ v": POLY~OERS

FIELD OF THE lNv~NllON

The present invention concerns ion-conductive polymers which are useful as electrolytes in electrochemical devices such as rechargeable batteries and fuel cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The production, storage, and distribution of energy are among the main concerns of modern industry and society. Thus, the efficient exploitation of energy sources that generate elec-tricity on an intermittent basis, e.g. solar energy, wind andwave power, require the availability of low-cost, high-effi-ciency electricity storage systems. Similarly, the increa-singly widespread use of various portable electronic devices and appliances having fairly high power requirements, such as mobile telephones, portable music and video systems (compact cassette recorders/players, CD-players, video camcorders etc.), laptop computers and the like, has increased the num-ber of rechargeable battery units in use by a significant factor. Finally, the desire to reduce urban air pollution has resulted in the development of electric automobile systems that have highlighted the shortcomings of existing battery systems with respect to price, power-to-weight ratio, and/or environmental concerns due to use of environmentally proble-matic materials such as heavy metals.

There have been a number of attempts at using ion-conductive polymers as electrolytes in batteries, i.a. in connection with the use of alkali metals as electrode material combined with the corresponding alkali metal cation as the charge carrier through the electrolyte. Lithium in particular is attractive for high-density batteries due to its low specific density, high stAn~rd potential and high melting point. Such attempts include the use of alkali metal salts such as LiCl04 solvated in a poly(alkylene oxide) matrix and the use of CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O96/17359 PCT~DK~S/00484 covalently bound ion-polymer complexes such as phenolate derivatives covalently bound to a poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) backbone.

In the case of solvated salt, the stability of the alkali metal electrode is believed to depend on the formation of a passivation layer which is due to an irreversible chemical reaction between the counter anion and the alkali metal electrode. However, despite relatively high ion conducti-vities of such electrolytes, the passivation phenom~non seriously limits the lifetime of the battery.

The passivation problem may be solved partially by covalently binding the anions to the backbone as has been done with the use of phenolates. However, although the anions are immobi-lized on the polymer matrix, these attempts have not resulted in electrolytes with ion conductivities of practically useful magnitude due to low dissociation constant of the lithium/-phenolate ion pair and/or to the use of systems of inferior ion-solvating properties.

Consequently, there is a need for ion-conductive polymers that are stable in contact with the electrode materials and have ion conductivities of a magnitude that makes them practically applicable as electrolytes for inclusion into batteries or fuel cells.

SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that surprisingly high ion conducti-vities can be obtained by means of polymers conta;n;ng ion complexes comprising covalently bound carbocyclic anionic groups, the anion groups being aromatic and having been rendered aromatic as a result of the anion formation through the removal of at least one H+ ion. The aromatic, carbocyclic anionic groups may be substituted by various groups including electron-withdrawing groups.

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 In particular, the invention concerns an ion-conductive polymer cont~;n;ng covalently bound ion complexes of one of the formulas Ia-Ic ~(R)m (~ M~(~

(R)m' R
( )m~

Ia Ib Ic wherein M+ is H+, Li+, Na+, or K+;
m is an integer in the range 0-4;
m' is an integer in the range 0-7;
m" is an integer in the range 0-8; and each group R independently is halogen;
a group -CO-O~, -CO-O-,M+, or -SO2-O-,M+ wherein M+ is as defined above;
cyano;
nitro;
Cl 5 alkoxy;
optionally substituted phenyl;
optionally substituted phenoxy;
a group -CoNR5R6 where R5 and R6 independently are hydrogen, C1 5 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, phenylcarbonyl, or Cl 6 alkanoyl;
a group -NR5R6 where Rs and R6 independently are as defined above;
a group -N(R5)-Co-R7 where R5 is as defined above, and R7 is hydrogen, C1 5 alkyl, C2 5 alkenyl, C2 5 alkynyl, or optionally substituted phenyl;

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 a group R7-Co-, a group R7-o-Co-, a group R7-Co-o-, -or a group R7-o-Co-o- where R7 is as defined above;
cycloheptatrienyl; or one of the groups R is a ion complex Ia', Ib', or Ic' (R )m' (~?(Rl)ml~

Ia' Ib' Ic' wherein M~, m, m' and m" are as defined above, and R' has the same meAn;ngS as R defined above with the proviso that R' is not a ion complex Ia', Ib', or Ic';

or two groups R bound to two adjacent carbon atoms may together form a divalent aliphatic or alicyclic group with 3-8 carbon atoms and having at least 2 C-C double bonds;
carbonyloxycarbonyl;
carbonylthiocarbonyl; or a group -Co-N(R7)-Co- where R7 is as defined above;

and the free bond indicated by "a", either directly or through an intervening group, is bound to the polymer backbone.

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 s DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE lNV~;N'l'lON

In the present context, the term "C1 5 alkyl" designates an alkyl moiety of 1-5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, or neopentyl. The term "C2 5 alkenyl" designates a monounsaturated hydrocarbyl group with 2-5 carbon atoms, such as vinyl, allyl, 1-, 2-, or 3-propenyl, n-butenyl, sec-butenyl, iso-butenyl, n-pentenyl, sec-pentenyl, iso-pentenyl.
The term "C2 s alkynyl" designates a hydrocarbyl group with 2-5 carbon atoms and cont~;n;ng a triple bond, such a~
ethynyl, propynyl, n-butynyl, sec-butynyl, iso-butynyl, n-pentynyl, iso-pentynyl. The term "Cl 5 alkoxy" designates a C1_5 alkyl group as defined bound via an oxygen atom. The term "C1 6 alkanoyl" designates the acyl group derived from an alkanoic acid with 1-6 carbon atoms, such as formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, valeryl or hexanoyl.

The term "halogen" designates fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo.

The terms "optionally substituted phenyl" and "optionally substituted phenoxy" designate phenyl and phenoxy groups, respectively, which are unsubstituted or are substituted with electron-withdrawing groups such as halogen, cyano, nitro, C1 5 alkoxy, a group -CoNR5R6 as defined above, a group -NR5R6, as defined above, a group -N(R5)-Co-R7 as defined above, a group R7-Co- as defined above, a group R7-o-Co- as defined above, a group R7-Co-o- as defined above, or a group R7-o-Co-o- as defined above.

When two groups R bound are to two adjacent carbon atoms and together form a divalent aliphatic or alicyclic group, examples of ~uch divalent groups are 1,3-propenylene, 1- or 2-buten-1,4-ylene, 1,3-butadien-1,4-ylene, 1,3-pentadien-1,5-ylene, 5-methyl-1,3-pentadien-1,5-ylene, 3-methyl-1,4-penta-CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O 96/173S9 PCTADh~5/00484 dien-1,5-ylene, 5-methylidene-1,3-pentadien-1,5-ylene, a group of the formula a a and a group of the formula a a ~

where "a" indicates the free bonds.

Specific, but not limiting examples of covalently bound ion complexes of the formulas Ia-Ic wherein two groups R bound to adjacent carbon atoms form the above defined groups are as CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/173S9 PCT~K95/00484 follows:
M+ ~ M+ ~ ~ CH3 M+ ~ ~b 2 M+ ~ M+ ~

where the free bond "a" shown in the formulas Ia-Ic may be in any of the possible positions.

It is particularly preferred if the divalent group together with the cyclic nucleus in the formulas Ia-Ic forms a com-plete aromatic structure.

Preferred examples of the covalently bound anion in the ion complexes of the formulas Ia-Ic are the cyclopentadienylide ion, the indenylide ion, and the 9-fluorenylide ion, in particular the cyclopentadienylide ion.

Since the ion conductivity of an ion conductive polymer is unfavourably affected at temperatures below the glass tran-sition temperature of the polymer due to crystallization of the ion-solvating polymer matrix, it is preferred that the WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 glass transition temperature Tg of the polymer of the invention is below 273~K, more preferably below 263~K, most preferably below 253~K, in particular below 243~K, especially below 233~K, such as below 223~K.

It has been established that a prerequisite for ion-conduc-tivity is the presence of a suitably ion-solvating environ-ment capable of solvating the ions, and in order to ensure such an environment, an ion solvating solvent may be incor-porated into the electrolyte, e.g. tetrahydrofuran or pro-pylene carbonate.

However, it is known that the ion conductivity is alsoimproved in the presence of poly(alkylene oxide) moieties in the polymer, and it is therefore preferred that such moieties are present in the polymer. It is particularly preferred that lS the polymer of the invention comprises sequences of the formula -(CH(Y)-CH2-O)n- where Y is hydrogen or methyl, and n is an integer in the range of 2-30 depending on the polymeric system selected, in particular in the range 3-lO. Such sequences may be present either in the backbone of the polymer or in grafted side groups or in the intervening group. It has been shown that poly(alkylene oxide)s form canal-like structures in the polymeric matrix with the right ~;m~n~ions for ion passage through the electrolyte.

Depending on the precise composition of the poly(alkylene oxide) moieties in the polymer, they may affect the Tg of the polymer due to the formation of crystalline dom~; n~ amongst the poly(alkylene oxide) moieties present. While it has been found that such effects can be off-set by forming the electrolyte from a mixture of a polymer of the invention with for example polyisobutylene, it is also contemplated that the effect may be eliminated or substantially reduced by omitting forming the poly(alkylene oxide) moieties from identical units, thereby introducing an element of heterogeneity in the poly(alkylene oxide) moieties.

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~h95/00484 Since it is chiefly the properties of the ion complexes of the form~ s Ia-Ic which are responsible for the surprising ion conductivity properties of the polymers of the invention, the backbone in the polymers may in principle be any type of polymer which does not actually contain functionalities which would directly counteract the intended ion transport process such as groups or functionalities capable of binding strongly with M+.

Examples, although by no means exhaustive, of general types of polymers which may form the basis for at least part of the backbone of the polymers of the invention are derivatives of polyolefines such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyiso-butylene; polymers of unsaturated acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid as well as derivatives of such acids such as esters, nitriles or amides, e.g. poly-acrylic acid, poly(polyethoxymethylitaconate) (PEO(n)MI), poly(polyethyleneglycol methacrylate) (PGM), poly(hydroxy-ethyl acrylate); polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives thereof such as polyvinyl esters, e.g. polyvinyl acetate; derivatives of polyesters, typically formed from a diacid (e.g. adipic acid, terephthalic acid) and a dihydroxy compound (e.g.
ethylene glycol, propylene glycol), such as poly(ethylene adipate); derivatives of polyamides, typically formed from a diacid (e.g. adipic acid, terephthalic acid) and a ~;~m;no compound (e.g. 1l3-~;~m;nopropanel 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-~;~m;nohexane); polyalkyleneimines, both linear and branched, such as polyethyleneimine; substituted polyphosphazenes such as poly(bis-(methoxy-ethoxy-ethoxide)phosphazene; silicone polymer derivatives such as polysiloxane derivatives, e.g.
derivatives of poly(methylhydrosiloxane).

Furthermore, the polymer may be either crosslinked or non-crosslinked, and the crosslinking may have been brought about in any m~nner known in the art, e.g. through reaction of reactive groups on the backbone or a grafted side group thereon with crosslinking moieties having two or more functionalities; or through irradiation with ultraviolet CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/173S9 PCT~K9S/00484 light (optionally in the presence of W-sensitive initiators such as benzophenone or benzoylperoxide), X-rays, gamma rays or electron beams (EB).

The term n intervening group" is intended to mean any chemical moiety located between on the one hand the ion complexes of the formulas Ia-Ic defined above and on the other hand the polymer backbone. Since, as discussed above, it is the pro-perties of the ion complexes of the formulas Ia-Ic which are chiefly responsible for ion conductivity properties of the polymers, it is clear that similar to the polymer backbone, the intervening group may in principle be any type of diva-lent chemical group or moiety which does not actually contain functionalities which would directly counteract the intended ion transport process.

As examples, but by no means exhaustive, of intervening groups may be mentioned the following where the lefthand end of the various formulas is connected to the polymer backbone, and the righthand end is connected to the ion complex of the formulas Ia-Ic:

-(CH2)X- where x is an integer from 1 to 10;
-(CH2)x,-(Phenyl)-, where x' is an integer from 1 to 10;
_o_;
-O-(Phenyl)-;
-O-(CH2)X,,-, where x" is an integer from 1 to 10;
-O-(CH2)x,-(Phenyl)-, where xl is as defined above; and -(CH2)y-O-CH2-CH(OH)-CH2-l where y is an integer from 1 to 10.

In the above formulas, the group (Phenyl) designates a benzene ring, the substitution pattern of which may be 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-, and the r~m~;n;ng positions on the ring are unsubstituted or may be substituted with any group capable of delocalizing the charge of the anion, e.g. cyano; nitro; C1 5 alkoxy; optionally substituted phenyl; optionally substituted phenoxy; a group -CoNR5R6 where R5 and R6 independently are CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O 96/17359 PCTADK~5100484 hydrogen, C1 5 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, phenyl-carbonyl, or C1 6 alkanoyl; a group -NR5R6 where R5 and R6 independently are as defined above; a group -N(R5)-Co-R7 where R5 is as defined above, and R7 is hydrogen, Cl 5 alkyl, C2 5 alkenyl, C2 5 alkynyl, or optionally substituted phenyl;
a group R7-Co-, a group R7--o-Co-, a group R7-Co-o-, or a group R7-o-Co-o- where R7 is as defined above.

In another embodiment of the polymer, sequences of the formula -(CH(Y)-CH2-O)n- discussed above are comprised in the intervening groups between the ion complexes of the formulas Ia-Ic and the polymer backbone.

The backbone of the polymer may be one which is derived from one of the following examples of polymers which, however, should not be construed as being limiting. In the examples, the basic structure of the polymer is given by showing the repeating units, but without showing where the location of the ion complex group of the formula Ia-Ic or the group cont~;n;ng the ion complex group. Thus, the backbone may be derived from polymer backbones of the following formulas II, III or IV
H

S~--0 ~ II
Y

[~

- 1 ~ IV

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 wherein X is halogen; Rl0 and Rll independently are hydrogen, alkyl with l-3 carbon atoms, carboxy, carboxyalkyl with l-3 carbon atoms, phenyl, a group -(OCH(Y)CH2)nOH or a group -(OCH(Y)CH2)nORl2 wherein Y is H or methyl, n is an integer in the range 2-30 and Rl2 is Cl 3 alkyl; and y is an integer in the range from 3 to 104, preferably from 3 to 103, such as from 3 to 500.

In the formula II, it will typically be in the position of the silicon-bound hydrogen that an intervening group or an ion complex or, alternatively, a grafted side group is inserted as a result of the reactivity of the hydrogen-silicon bond. Likewise, in the formula III it will typically be in the position of the halogen atom that an intervening group or an ion complex or, alternatively, a grafted side group is inserted as a result of the reactivity of the phosphorous-halogen bond. In the formula IV, it will typically be somewhere in Rl0 and/or Rll that an intervening group or an ion complex or, alternatively, a grafted side group is inserted.

The polymers of the invention may typically be prepared from suitably substituted monomers by known methods of polymeri-sation analogous to the manner in which the type of polymer, from which a polymer of the invention is derived, is usually prepared. However, in some cases such as poly(ethylene glycol) ethers and poly(methyl siloxane)s, it may be more practical to introduce the ion complex groups or moieties cont~;n;ng them or grafted side groups into already existing polymers having suitable functionalities in their structure.
As an example of a type of reagent capable of introducing an intervening group or a grafted side groups may be mentioned poly(ethylene glycol) allyl methyl diether, the double bond of which is able to react with the polymethylhydrosiloxane of formula II replacing the hydrogen in a hydrosilylation reaction.

CA 02206207 l997-0~-27 WO96/173S9 pcT~Kssloo4s4 When preparing the polymers of the invention from suitably modified monomers, the actual polymerization is typically performed in the same mAnner as known polymerizations relevant for the polymer in question, including the use of catalysts, coinitiators, solvents, proton traps, etc., cf.
stAn~Ard works in the polymer field such as M.P. Stevens, "Polymer Chemistry", Oxford University Press, 1990. Also, when the polymer contains poly(alkylene oxide) moieties, it may be advantageous to add an antioxidant, such as a steri-cally hindered phenol derivative, at the end of the polymeri-zation reaction in order to prevent polymer degradation.

Similarly, the monomers may be modified by stAn~rd organic chemical methods as exemplified by the following.

Thus, the monomers for preparation of poly(vinyl ether)s (PVE) where the ether functions are of the poly(alkylene oxide) type, in particular the poly(ethylene oxide) type, may be for example synthesized from a mixture of ethyl vinyl ether and an appropriate poly(ethylene glycol)-mnnom~thyl ether in the presence of mercuric acetate as a catalyst while heating the mixture at reflux temperature (15,16), Ethylene glycol allyl vinyl diether for preparing allylated PVE may be prepared from allyl alcohol and (2-chloroethyl) vinyl ether, in the presence of a strong base such as potassium hydroxide, optionally in the presence of an aprotic solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at elevated temperatures, typically between 75~C and 85OC(l5).

Monomers which are esters of unsaturated acids with an alcohol, such as poly(alkylene oxide)s or phenols, are typically prepared by acid catalyzed esterification of the unsaturated acid, e.g. itaconic acid, with an appropriate poly(alkylene oxide) or derivative thereof such as a suitable poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(ethylene glycol)-monomethyl ether, or with an appropriate phenol, or with a mixture of these, in the presence of e.g. p-toluene sulfonic acid CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 catalyst in a solvent such as toluene at reflux tempera-ture (17~18~19~20) When polymerizing the modified monomers, other unmodified, unsaturated co-monomers such as isobutylene or styrene may be included.

For the preparation of polymers of the poly(methyl siloxane) type shown above, a suitable starting material may be a poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) which may then be reacted with a poly(ethylene glycol) allyl methyl diether or with allyl glycid ether or with styrene or a mixture of these in the presence of platinum catalyst (2). The poly(ethylene glycol) allyl methyl ether used as a starting material may be prepared by a reaction between allyl chloride and the sodium salt of an appropriate poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether, optionally in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydro-furan (THF) at temperatures between 40~C and 70~C(1~).
Similarly, poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether and phenols can be grafted on to poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) in the presence of zinc octoate as a catalyst (2). These reactions may be carried out at room temperature, optionally in an aprotic solvent such as THF. However, the use of zinc octoate requires the extraction thereof from the resulting polymer by a modified Soxhlet process.

A poly(alkylene oxide) matrix may also be introduced by mixing a polymer of the invention containing the ion complex of the formulas Ia-Ic (e.g. of the poly(methyl siloxane type) with 1) a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl vinyl diether and ethylene glycol allyl vinyl diether; 2) poly-(ethylene glycol)-crosslinked di-(poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether)-polyphosphazene (DPP); or 3) poly(ethylene glycol)-crosslinked poly(di-poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether) itaconate (PPI). Furthermore, any mixture of poly-(ethylene glycol)-crosslinked DPP, poly(ethylene glycol)-crosslinked PPI and allylated PVE may serve the same purpose.
In the case of allylated PVE, a crosslinking reaction occurs CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W 0 96/17359 PCTADK~5/00484 between the Si-H-bond in poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) and the double bonds in allylated PVE copolymer.

DPP, poly(ethylene glycol)-crosslinked DPP or phenylated DPP
may be prepared by means of the ring-opening reaction of dichlorophosphazene at temperatures in the range 240-260~C, followed by reaction with the sodium salt of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol), phenol, or a mixture thereof in the presence of tetra-n-butyl ~mo~;um bromide. The reactions may optionally be carried out in an aprotic solvent such as THF, at temperatures between 60~C and 80OC(7~8,9) Polymers of the PVE-type, the polyalkene (such as polyiso-butylene (PIB)) type, the polystyrene type, or combinations thereof may be prepared by carbocationic polymerization methods. The relevant starting materials are, in a typical example of such a polymerization reaction, reacted in a 40/60 (v/v) methylcycloh~x~ne/dichloromethane solvent system with an initiating complex of titanium(IV)chloride and 1,3-di-(2-methoxy-2-propyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene in the presence of a proton trap such as 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine, and in another typical example polymerized in dichloromethane with BF3Et2O
as the initiator at temperatures in the range from -70~C to _gooc(12,13,14,15,16) Polymerization of unsaturated acid ester monomers such as itaconic acid diester monomers may be effected at tempera-tures in the range of 50-60~C using ~,~'-azobisisobutyro-nitril as a radical initiator (17,18,19,20), Polymers conta;n;ng phenol- and/or styrene groups may furthermore be lithiated with alkyllithium (such as butyl-lithium (BuLi)) and then reacted with a suitable chemicalcompound for introducing a into the polymer precursor to the ion complex of the formulas Ia-Ic. One example of such a compound is 2-cyclopentene-1-on for introducing a cyclopenta-dienyl group onto the phenyl group. The ion complex is then CA 02206207 l997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 formed by reacting the precursor group on the polymer with a metallating agent, for example an alkyllithium (such as methyllithium (MeLi) or BuLi) which then results in the formation of a lithium cyclopentadienylide group compleX(3,4,5,6) The ion-complex may also be introduced into the polymer either by ~A~; ng a metal salt of the desired ion complex group to a polymer cont~'n;ng suitable functional groups with which to react; one example is the reaction between lithium cyclopentadienylide (LiCp) and an epoxy group on poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) carrying grafted allyl glycidyl ether groups.

Another aspect of the invention is a battery or a proton exch~nge membrane fuel cell comprising an electrolyte comprising a polymer of the invention. When a fuel cell is desired, a polymer in which M+ is H+ is used, whereas when M+
is Li+, Na+, or ~+, the polymer is used in a battery. The polymers of the invention may also be used in other electro-chemical devices such as electrochromic displays, "smart window~ displays, electrochemical sensors, ion exchange matrixes (e.g. in desalination plants), galvanic cells, supercapacitors, and hydrogen concentration units.

A battery or a fuel cell according to the invention may be designed in a m~nn~r known per se to the person skilled in the art, e.g. as described in "Polymer Electrolyte Reviews"
vol. 1 and 2, Ed. J.R. MacCallum & C.A. Vincent, Elsevier Applied Science, 1989; "Electrochemical Science and Techno-logy of Polymers" vol. 2, Ed. R.G. Linford, Elsevier Applied Science, 1990; Fiona M. Gray, "Solid Polymer Electrolytes", VCH Publishers, 1991; and A.J. Appleby & F.R. Foulkes, "Fuel Cell Handbook", Van Nostrand, New York, 1989.

Thus, a typical example of a battery of the invention com-prises a anode consisting of a sheet of nickel foil (serving as a current collector) l~m~n~ted with a ~heet of foil of the alkali metal in question, e.g. lithium foil with a thickness CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O96/17359 PCTADX~5/00484 17 of 40-100 ~m. The electrolyte is then l~m;n~ted onto the alkali metal foil, the thickness of the polymeric electrolyte typically being the range 20-100 ~m.

Finally, a cathode is laminated onto the surface of the electrolyte opposite the anode laminate. In order to be able to accommodate the alkali metal atoms resulting from the transport across the electrolyte of alkali metal ions, the cathode typically comprises a intercalating material, such as TiS2, V2O5, V6O13, MnO2, CoO2, the alkali metal atoms resulting from the ion transport intercalating in vacant positions in the crystal lattice of the cathode material when the ion accepts an electron. In order to provide the cathode with sufficient electrical conductivity, the intercalation material is typically m~xe~ with particles of an electrically conductive, but electrochemically inert material such as carbon, e.g. graphite and coke, and further contains a portion of the ion-conductive polymer.

The thickness of the entire laminate of anode, electrolyte, and cathode will depend on several factors but is typically up to a maximum of 2 mm. To provide batteries of cylindrical shape, the above laminate may simply be provided with suitable insulating layers and electrical connections and rolled or folded into the appropriate shape, e.g. a cylinder, and placed in a suitable casing.

A typical example of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to the invention comprises a pair of teflon-coated carbon gas diffusion electrodes laminated onto both sides of a membrane of a proton-conductive polymer according to the invention which has been platinized on both sides, i.e. has been coated with very small platinum particles tcf. M.S.
Wilson & S. Gottesfeld, (Electronics Research Group, ~os Alamos National Laboratory, USA), Thin-film Catalyst Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 22 (1992) 1-7). The whole system is enclosed in a casing, and hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K9~/00484 gas (or methane) is supplied to the anode side of the membrane, while oxygen or an oxygen-cont~;n;ng gas is supplied to the cathode side of the membrane.

The m~nn~r in which the polymers of the invention are prepared as well as the procedures for producing single ion-conductive membranes cont~;n;ng an ion-polymer complex of the invention will be illustrated in more detail in the following, non-limiting examples.

All the reactions were carried out in dry, O2-free solvents and under a dry, inert atmosphere (N2 or Ar).

Example 1. The synthesis of:

CH2cH2cH2(ocH2cH2)nocH3 OH
H CH2CH2CH20CH2~ HCH2 ~;i O] ~i o ]y ~!;i o }
~H3 CH3 CH3 A tetrahydrofuran solution (40 ml) of polymethyl hydrosiloxane (1.18 g, 5.2 10-4 mole (PS 120)), polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (2.12 g, 5.4 10-3 mole (MW = 391)) and allyl glycidyl ether (0.45 g, 3.9 10-3 mole) was placed in a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The reaction was catalyzed by adding 7.5 ~l platinum-divinyltetramethyldisiloxan complex to the solution with a microsyringe (2), The mixture was stirred for 72 hours followed by addition of lithium cyclopentadienylide (0.22 g, 3.0 10-3 mole, corresponding to a EO/Li+ ratio of approx-imately 15. The solution was stirred for another 24 hours and cast on a glass plate. After the evaporation of the solvent CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 the resulting polymer membrane (thickness approx. 0.25 mm) was dried at high vacuum. The conductivity of the complex was tested by means of a Solartron 1260 AC conductivity meter and - was found to be 1.1 10-5 S cm~l at room temperature.

5 Example 2. The synthesis of:

OH
(OCH2CH2)nOCH3 HC~l2CH2CH20CH2CHCH2 ~1L~
[~i O] ~i O]y ~H3 CH3 CH3 A tetrahydrofuran solution (40 ml) of polymethyl hydrosil-oxane (1.25 g, 5.5-10-4 mole (PS 120)) and polyethylene-glycol 350 m~omethyl ether (2.20 g, 6.3-10-3 mole) was placed in a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The reaction was cata-lyzed by adding 25 mg of zinc octoate to the solution (2). Themixture was stirred for 24 hours followed by addition of allyl glycidyl ether (0.39 g, 3.4-10-3 mole) and 5 ~l plati-num divinyl tetramethyldisiloxan complex for catalyzing(2).
The mixture was stirred for 48 hours followed by addition of lithium cyclopentadienylide (0.16 g, 2,3-10-3 mole), corre-sponding to a EO/Li~ ratio of approximately 20. The solution was stirred for another 24 hours, filtered and then cast on a glass plate. After the evaporation of the solvent the resul-ting polymer membrane (thickness approx. 0.25 mm) was dried at high-vacuum. The conductivity of the complex was found to be 1.3-10-5 S cm~1 at room temperature.

CA 02206207 l997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~X95/00484 Example 3. The synthesis of:
CH2CH2CH2(0CH2CH2)nOCH3 OH
H C,H2CH2CH20CH2CHCH2~--["i O] [~;i O ] [~i O ~ Li+
X I Y I Z
CH3 ~CH~ CH3 A tetrahydrofuran solution (40 ml) of polymethyl hydrosiloxane (1.38 g, 6.1 10-4 mole (PS 120)), polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (2.92 g, 7.5 10-3 mole (MW = 391)) and allyl glycidyl ether (0.37 g, 3.2 10-3 mole) was placed in a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The reaction was catalyzed by ~;ng 7.5 ~l platinum divinyl tetramethyldisiloxan complex to the solution with a microsyringe(2). The mixture was stirred for 15 hours followed by addition of lithium indenylide (0.33 g, 2.7 10-3 mole), corresponding to a EO/Li+ ratio of approximately 20.
The solution was stirred for another 8 hours, filtered and cast on a glass plate. After the evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer membrane (thickness approx. 0.25 mm) was dried at high vacuum. The complex was purple and the conductivity was found to be 1.9 10-6 S cm~1 at room temperature.

Example 4. The synthesis of:

CH2CH2CH2(0CH2CH2)nOCH3 OH
H C~2CH2CH20CH2CHCH2 ~(~ L
tSI ~]x [Si O ]y [Si O

A tetrahydrofuran solution (40 ml) of polymethyl hydrosiloxane (1.35 g, 5.9 10-4 mole (PS 120)), polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (2.84 g, 7.3 10-3 mole (MW = 391)) and allyl glycidyl ether (0.36 g, 3.2 10-3 mole) was placed in a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The reaction was catalyzed by adding 7.5 ~l platinum divinyl WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 tetramethyldisiloxan complex(2). The mixture was stirred for 20 hours followed by addition of lithium fluorenylide (0.45 g, 2.6 ~ 10-3 mole (9-lithiumfluorene)), corresponding to a E0/Li~ ratio of approximately 20. The solution was stirred for another 7 hours, filtered and then cast on a glass plate.
After evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer was a viscosious purple liquid.

Complexes made as described above, cont~;nlng mixed salt mixtures of lithium cyclopentadienylide (example 1) and lithium fluorenylide, were solid complexes. The result of conductivity measurements of complexes cont~;n~ng 20-80 mole ~ (of total salt content) lithium fluorenylide (LiF1) is shown on the following table. The conductivity is obviously decreasing with increasing lithium fluorene content.

~ LiFl Conductivity (S cm~l) 1.0 ~ 10-6 7.4 10-7 4.7 10-7 Example 5. The synthesis of CH2CH2CH2(0CH2CH2)nOCH3 C-2cH2cH

c H3 CH3 $

9.5 g polymethyl hydrosiloxane (4.2 10-~ mole (PS 120)) and 20.1 g polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (4.8 10-2 mole (MW = 415)) was dissolved in approximately 70 ml tetrahydrofuran in a 100 ml volumetric flask. A reaction between the components was catalyzed by adding 25 ~l platinum divinyl tetramethyldisiloxan complex to the solution with a microsyringe (2), The mixture was stirred for 5 hours and then diluted to 100.0 ml. (PMHS/PEG - matrix solution) CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/173S9 PCT~K95/00484 A polymer membrane with a EO/Li+ ratio of approximately 10 was prepared as follows: 15.0 ml of the PMHS/PEG - matrix solution was placed in a 50 ml Erlenmayer flask followed by addition of 5.7 ~ 10-3 mole of lithiumallyl-cyclopenta-dienylide dissolved in 7 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The solutionwas diluted to approximately 30 ml, stirred for 15 hours, diluted again to approximately 40 ml, filtered and cast on a glass plate. After evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer membrane (thickness approx. 0.25 mm) was dried at high vacuum. The complex was brown and waxy. The conductivity was found to be 2.7 10-5 S cm~1 at room temperature.

Example 6. The synthesis of:
~Li~
CH2CH2CH2(0CH2CH2)nOCH3 CH2cH2ocH2cH2 [si ~~X ~i o]y [ fi o ~

23.7 g polymethyl hydrosiloxane (1.0 10-2 mole (PS 120)) and 50.1 g polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (0.121 mole (MW = 415)) was dissolved in approximately 150 ml tetrahydrofuran in a 250 ml volumetric flask. A reaction between the components was catalyzed by ~ ng 100 ~1 platinum divinyl tetramethyldisiloxan complex to the solution with a microsyringe(2). The mixture was stirred for 15 hours and then diluted to 250.0 ml. (PMHS/PEG - matrix solution) 15.0 ml of the PMHS/PEG - matrix solution was placed in a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The polymer was crosslinked by addition of 0.12 g polyethyleneglycol diallyl ether dissolved in 1.0 ml tetrahydrofuran (4.4 10-4 mole (MW = 282)). After stirring for 4 hours, approximately 3.9 10-3 mole of 2-(lithium cyclopentadienylide)ethyl-vinyl ether suspended in 8.3 ml tetrahydrofuran was added to the mixture, corresponding to a EO/Li+ ratio close to 15. The solution was diluted to approximately 40 ml, stirred for 15 hours, CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O96tl73S9 PCT~DX~5/00484 filtered and cast on a glass plate. After evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer membrane (thickness approx.
0.25 mm) was dried at high vacuum. The complex was brown and the conductivity was found to be 3.3 ~ 10-6 S cm~l at room 5 temperature.

Example 7. The synthesis of:

~L~

(OC~lzCHz)nOCH3 H O
[~ ~] . ['~i 0~ [~;j o]Z

A 40 g sample of polymethyl hydrosiloxane ~1.8 10-2 mole (PS 120)) was mixed with 70 g of polyethyleneglycol 350 mono-methyl ether (0.20 mole) and 10 g phenol (0.11 mole). The 10 mixture was dissolved in 300 ml tetrahydrofuran and placed in a 0.5 l three-necked flask. The reaction was catalyzed by ling 100 mg of zinc octoate to the solution (2) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. The polymer was lithiated by addition of 40 ml N,N,N',N'-tetra-15 methylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and 20 ml of 10 M butyllithiumsolution(3~4~6). The solution was refluxed overnight and then the solvent was removed a rotary evaporator. The resulting polymer (a yellow liquid) was washed three times with 100 ml of methylcyclohexane and dried at high vacuum (Yield 91.3 g 20 (75~)).

A 26 g sample of the lithiated polymer was dissolved in 100 ml tetrahydrofuran. While the mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath, 2.5 ml of 2-cyclopentene-1-on was added(3).
The solution immediately became orange, but then slowly CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 turned deep red while being stirred for 100 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator whereby the polymer precipitated as beads.

3 g of the beads were suspended in 75 ml of tetrahydrofuran by stirring for 24 hours. Then they were treated with 0.25 ml of 10 M butyllithium solution(3), corresponding to a EO/~i+
ratio of approximately 20. The suspension was cast on a glass plate and after the evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer membrane was dried at high vacuum. The conductivity of the complex was found to be 7.1-10-6 S cm~1 at room temperature.

Example 8. The synthesis of:

,~Li~
f H2CH2CH2(0CH2CH2)nOCH3 f H2CH2~

[si ~]X ~i o] ~i o A 40 g sample of polymethyl hydrosiloxane (1.8-10-2 mole (PS
120)) was mixed with 78 g of polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (0.20 mole (MW = 391)) and 11 g freshly distilled styrene (0.11 mole). The mixture was dissolved in 300 ml tetrahydrofuran and placed in an 0.5 1 three-necked flask.
The reaction was catalyzed by adding 25 ~1 platinum divinyl tetramethyldisiloxan complex to the solution(2), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. The polymer was lithiated by addition of 40 ml TMEDA and 20 ml of 10 M butyllithium solution(3~4~6). The solution was refluxed overnight and then the solvent was removed by a rotary eva-porator. The resulting polymer (a orange liquid) was washed CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/173~9 pcT~xs5loo484 three times with 100 ml of methylcyclohexane and dried at high ~acuum. (Yield 109.9 g (82~)).

A 28 g sample of the lithiated polymer was dissolved in 100 ml tetrahydrofuran. While the mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath, 2.5 ml of 2-cyclopentene-1-on was added(3).
The solution immediately became red, but then slowly turned brown while being stirred for 100 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator whereby the polymer preci-pitated as beads.

4 g of the beads were suspended in 75 ml of tetrahydrofuran by stirring for 24 hours. Then they were treated with 0.30 ml of 10 M butyllithium solution(3), corresponding to a EO/Li+
ratio of approximately 20. The suspension was cast on a glass plate, and after the evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer membrane was dried at high vacuum. The conductivity of the complex was found to be 9.1 10-6 S cm~1 at room temperature.

Bxample 9. The synthesis of:

Li+~cH2lHcH2o~cH2lHo~ CH2CHCH2~Li+

1.04 g (1.4- 10-2 mole) lithium cyclopentadienylide was weighed in a 100 ml volumetric flask and dissolved in approximately 50 ml tetrahydrofuran, followed by addition of 4.87 g (7.6 10-3 mole) poly(propylene oxide)diglycidyl ether. The mixture was stirred for 24 hours and then diluted to 100.0 ml. (PPO solution) A solution containing 0.74 g of polymethyl hydrosiloxane (3.3 ~ 10-4 mole (PS 120)), 2.70 g polyethyleneglycol allyl methyl diether (4.6 10-3 mole (MW = 591)) and allyl glycidyl ether (0.13 g, 1.1 ~ 10-3 mole) in tetrahydrofuran was prepared in a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. A reaction between CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 the existing carbon-carbon double bonds and the silicon-hydrogen bonds was catalyzed by adding 5.0 ~l platinum divinyl tetramethyldisiloxan complex to the solution with a microsyringe(2). The mixture was stirred for 15 hours followed by addition of 24 ml of the PPO solution, corresponding to a EO/Li+ ratio of approximately 20. The solution was stirred for another 8 hours and cast on a glass plate. After evaporation of the solvent the resulting polymer membrane (thickness approx. 0.25 mm) was dried at high vacuum. The complex was red and seemed to be separated into two phases. The conductivity of the dom;n~nt phase was found to be 5.4 10-6 S cm~1 at room temperature.

Example 10. The synthesis of:

~Lr~
,~
~ocH2cH2)nocH3 ~I rocH2cH2)nocH3 t~l l]X [~ t~ 1] Z
(OCH2CH2)nOCH3 0~ 0~3 may be carried out in the following m~nn~r A 12.5 g sample of phosphornitrile chloride (Cl6N3P3) is polymerized by a ring opening polymerization at 2500C(7). The resulting polydichlorophosphazene is dissolved in 300 ml tetrahydrofuran and is added over a 0.5 hour period to a stirred suspension of 27.4 g of the sodium salt of tri-ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether (polyoxyethylene-3-methyl-ether (0.15 mole)) and 0.53 g of the disodium salt of poly-ethylene glycol 200 (2.1 10-3 mole) in 200 ml tetrahydrofuran in a 1.0 1 three-necked flask. The reaction is carried out in the presence of tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide to yield a fully substituted polymer(8). The mixture is refluxed for CA 02206207 l997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K~s/0o484 another 24 hours and then 7.7 g of the sodium salt of the phenol suspended in 100 ml tetrahydrofuran is added. The mixture is refluxed for another 24 hour~ and is then cooled to room temperature. The polymer is recovered by precipi-tation into heptane.

The resulting polymer is then lithiated, grafted with cyclo-pentadiene and complexed in the same manner as described in examples 7 and 8.

Example 11. The synthesis of:

CH,~,~cH~cl l~k) y [CH~] ( [CH~CH~I 1] k ) y 1~ O(CH2CH20)nCH3 l~J O(cH2cH2o)ncH3 ~Li~ ~Li~

may be carried out in the following m~nner:
A polymer of the PVE-type, polyalkane, polystyrene or a combination thereof in a r~nAnm copolymer or block-copolymer is prepared by living carbocationic polymerization with 1,3-di-(2-methoxy-2-propyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene as an initiator, with titanium(IV) chloride as coinitiator. An ideal solvent system may be a 40:60 (v/v) mixture of methylcyclohexane and dichloromethane (12,13,14). The polymerization is carried out at -78~C, in a cooling bath consisting of isopropyl alcohol mixed with dry ice. A proton trap such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-pyridine and an electron donor such as DMA may optionally beapplied. The resulting polymer is rinsed for homopolymers by soxhlet extraction with ethyl methyl ketone as an eluent. The apparent average molecular weight of the purified polymer may be measured by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) with poly-CA 02206207 l997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 isobutylene, polystyrene and/or poly(ethylene glycol) st~n~l~rdS, depending on the actual composition (12~13~14), A block-copolymer consisting of a middle-block of polyiso-butylene and r~n~om end-blocks of polystyrene-co-poly-(ethylene glycol) methyl vinyl diether is prepared by livingcarbocationic polymerization in the said system, by preparing a solution of the initiator, proton trap, and isGbutylene according to the art. The polymerization is turned on by adding a solution of the coinitiator to the system. After a while (typically 1-5 hours) the electron donor is added, followed by addition of a solution of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl vinyl diether and styrene. The polymerization is quenched with methanol after another 2-3 hours (12,14), The polymer is the lithiated, grafted with cyclopentadiene and complexed in the same manner as described in examples 7 and 8.

Example 12. The synthesis of:

OcH2cH2ocH2cH=cH2 ~CH2~1 l~X [CH2-CH~

O(cH2cH2o)r~cH3 may be carried out in the following manner:
A random copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl vinyl diether and ethylene glycol allyl diether (allylated PVE) (15~16) iS prepared by living carbocationic polymeri-zation, in the same system as described in example 11, by preparing a solution of the initiator, proton trap, and the CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 said mon~m~rs according to the art. The polymerization is turned on by ~;ng a solution of the coinitiator to the system. After typically 1-5 hours, the polymerization is quenched with methanol (12,13,14).

The ion-conductivity may be gained by m;x; ng the resulting copolymer with a polymer cont~in;ng an ion complex of the invention, such as a poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) derivative (examples l and 2). In this case a crosslinking reaction occurs between the Si-H bond in the poly(methyl hydro-siloxane) and the double bond in the allylated PVE.

Example 13. The synthesis of:

(cH2cH2o)ncH3 o~f~l ~~C~~~Ll~

~CH2~ ]X [CH2--C~

CH2 Cl H2 ~C~ O ~L~ , (CH2CH20),,CH3 may be carried out in the following m~nn~r:
Itaconate ester mo~om~rs may be prepared by acid catalyzed esterification of itaconic acid with the appropriate starting alcohol using p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst and toluene as solvent at reflux temperature. Alcohols such as poly-ethylene glycol 350 monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether and phenol, may be used for the monomer synthesis. The corresponding itaconates are di-ethoxy(7,2)-methyl itaconate, di-ethoxy(3)-methyl itaconate and diphenyl itaconate. Unreacted alcohol is removed by washing the toluene solution several times with water. The required monomer may then be obtained by drying the toluene solution CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 with magnesium sulphate, followed by azeotropic diStillation(l7~l8~l9~2o) A mixture of di-ethoxy(7,2)-methyl itaconate, di-ethoxy(3)-methyl itaconate and diphenyl itaconate is placed in a 0.5 l flask. The monomers are polymerized using ~,~'-azabisiso-butyronitrile as initiator by heating the system at 340K for one week. The resulting polymer is dissolved in chloroform, precipitated from diethyl ether and dried for 24 hours in vacuO (17~l8,19,20) The polymer may then be lithiated, grafted with cyclopenta-diene and complexed in the same manner as described in examples 7 and 8, with carefully purified and dried dichloro-methane as solvent.

In the case of y = 0, ion-conductivity may be gained by mixing the resulting poly(poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether) itaconate with a polymer containing an ion complex of the invention, such as a poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) deriva-tive (example l and 2).

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 W O 96/17359 PCT~DK~5/00484 References 1 Gray, F.M.: "Solid Polymer Electrolytes - Flln~Am~ntals - and Technological Applications", VHC Publishers Inc.
1991 .

2 Anderson, R., Arkles, B., and Larson, G.L.: "Silicon Compounds - Register and Review", Petrarch Systems Inc.
1987.

3 Bonds, W.D., Brubaker, Jr., C.H., Ch~nrlrasekaran, E.S., Gibbons, R.H. and Kroll, L.C.: "Polystyrene Attached Titanocene Species - Preparation and Reactions", J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 97(8), 2128 (1975).

4 Fyles, T.M. and Leznoff, C.C.: "The Use of Polymer Supports in Organic Chemistry V. The Preparation of Monoacetates of Symmetrical Diols", Can. J. Chem. 54, lS 935 (1976).

Grubbs, R.H. and Shiu.Chin, H. Su: " The Preparation of Polymeric Organophosphorous Ligands for Catalyst Attachment", J. Organom. Chem. 122, 151 (1976).

6 Bro~ , C.D.: "Homogenous Metalation of Alkylbenzenes", J. Org. Chem. 35, 10 (1970).

7 Allcock, H.R., Austin, P.E., Neenen, T.X., Sisko, J.T., Blonsky, P.M. and Shriver, D.F.: " Polyphosphazenes with Etheric Side Groups: Prospective Biomedical and Solid Electrolyte Polymers", Macromolecules 19, 1508 (1986).

8 Blonsky, J.T. and Shriver, D.F: "Polyphosphazenes Solid Electrolytes", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 6854 (1986).

9 Tonge, J.S. and Shriver, D.F.: "Increased Dimensional Stability in Ionically Conducting Polyphosphanozenes systems", J. Blectrochem. Soc. 134, 269 (1984).

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 WO96/17359 PCT~K95/00484 10 Feldstedt, J.: " Syntese og Karakterisering af Solventfrie Elektrolytter", DTH Kemisk Lab. A, Denmark 1991 .

11 Skotheim, T.A., Yoshiyuki, O. and Hung Sui, L.: European Patent Application Publ. No. 0376466.

12 Kennedy, J.P. and Ivan, B.: "Designed Polymers by Carbocationic Macromolecular Engineering: Theory and Practice.", Hanser Publichers, 1992.

13 Wang, B., Mishra, M.K. and Kennedy, J.P.: "Living Carbocationic Polymerization. XII. Telechelic Polyisobutylenes by a Sterically Hindered Bifunctional Initiator.", Polymer Bulletin 17, 205, (1987), Springer-Verlag 1987.

14 Gylfason, G.H.: "Polymerer med kontrolleret struktur", DTH Institut for kemiteknik, 1993.

Andrei, M., Marchese M. and Roggero A.: "Polymer Electrolytes Based on Crosslinked Siliated Poly-vinyl-ether and Lithium Perchlorate.", Solid State Ionics 72, 140, (1994).

16 Pantaloni, S., Passerini, S., Croce, F. and Scrosati ~.:
"Electrochemical Characterization of a Class of Low Temperature Conducting Polymer Electrolytes.", Electrochimica Acta 34/5, 635, (1989).

17 Cowie, J.M.G., Ferguson, R.: "Glass and Subglass Transitions in a Series of Polytitaconate ester)s with Methyl-Terminated Poly(ethylene oxide) Side Chains.", J.
Polymer Science, Polymer Physics Ed. 23, 2181, (1985).

18 Cowie, J.M.G. and Martin, A.C.S.: "Ionic Conductivity of Poly(diethoxy(3)methyl itaconate) Cont~;n;ng Lithium Perchlorate.", Polymer Cnmm~ln;cations 26, 298, (1985).

CA 02206207 1997-0~-27 19 Cowie, J.M.G. and Martin, A.C.S.: "Glass Transition in Poly(di-(polypropylene glycol)itaconate)-Salt Mixtures.", Polymer Comml ~n; cations 28, 130, (1987).

20 Cowie, J.M.G. and Martin, A.C.S.: "Ionic Conductivity of Poly(di-(polypropylene glycol)itaconate)-Salt Mixtures.", Polymers 28, 627, (1987).

Claims

We claim:

1. An ion-conductive polymer containing covalently bound ion complexes of one of the Formula Ia-Ic:

wherein:
M+ is H+, Li+, Na+, or K+;
m is an integer in the range 0-4;
m' is an integer in the range 0-7;
m" is an integer in the range 0-8; and each group R independently is halogen;
a group -CO-O-, -CO-O-,M+, or -SO2-O-,M+ wherein M+ is as defined above;
cyano;
nitro;
C1-5 alkoxy;
optionally substituted phenyl;
optionally substituted phenoxy;
a group -CONR5R6 where R5 and R6 independently are hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, phenylcarbonyl, or C1-6 alkanoyl;
a group -NR5R6 where R5 and R6 independently are as defined above;

a group -N(R5)-CO-R7 where R5 is as defined above, and R7 is hydrogen, C1-5 alkyl, C2-S alkenyl, C2-5 alkynyl, or optionally substituted phenyl;
a group R7-CO-, a group R7-O-CO-, a group R7-CO-O-; or a group R7-O-CO-O- where R7 is as defined above;
cycloheptatrienyl; or one of the groups R is a ion complex Ia', Ib', or Ic':

wherein M+, m, m' and m" are as defined above, and R' has the same meanings as R defined above with the proviso that R' is not a ion complex Ia', Ib', or Ic'; or two groups R bound to two adjacent carbon atoms may together form a divalent aliphatic or alicyclic group with 3-8 carbon atoms and having at least 2 C-C double bonds;
carbonyloxycarbonyl;
carbonylthiocarbonyl;
a group -CO-N(R')-CO- where R7 is as defined above;
and the free bond indicated by "a", either directly or through an intervening group, is bound to the polymer backbone.

2. A polymer according to claim 1 in which a divalent aliphatic or alicyclic group formed by two groups R bound to two adjacent carbon atoms is selected from 1,3-propenylene, 1- or 2-buten-1,4-ylene, 1,3-butadien-1,4-ylene, 1,3-pentadien-1,5-ylene, 5-methyl-1,3-pentadien-1,5-ylene, 3-methyl-1,4-pentadien-1,5-ylene, 5-methylidene-1,3-pentadien-1,5-ylene, a group of the formula and a group of the formula where "a" indicate the free bonds to two adjacent carbon atoms.

3. A polymer as claimed in claim 1 or 2 which has a glass transition temperature T g below 273°K.

4. A polymer as claimed in claim 3 where the glass transition temperature T g is below 263°K.

5. A polymer as claimed in claim 4 where the glass transition temperature T g is below 253°K.

6. A polymer as claimed in claim 5 where the glass transition temperature T g is below 243°K.

7. A polymer as claimed in claim 6 where the glass transition temperature T g is below 233°K.

8. A polymer as claimed in claim 7 where the glass transition temperature T g is below 223°K.

9. A polymer as claimed in any of claims 1-8 which further comprises sequences of the formula -(CH(Y)-CH2-O)n- where n is an integer in the range of 2-30 and each Y independently is hydrogen or methyl, said sequences being present either in the backbone of the polymer or in grafted side groups or in the intervening group.

10. A polymer as claimed in claim 9 where n is an integer in the range of 3-10.

11. A polymer as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the intervening group or grafted side groups comprise sequences of the formula -(CH(Y)-CH2-O)n-.

12. A polymer as claimed in any of claims 1-11 which comprises a backbone derived from polymer backbones of the following formulae II, III or IV:

wherein:
X is halogen;

R10 and R11 independently are hydrogen, alkyl with 1-3 carbon atoms, carboxy, carboxyalkyl with 1-3 carbon atoms, phenyl, a group -(OCH(Y)CH2)n OH or a group -(OCH(Y)CH2)n OR12 wherein Y is H or methyl, n is an integer in the range 2-30 and R12 is C1-3 alkyl; and y is an integer in the range from 3 to 10 4.

13. A polymer as claimed in claim 12 wherein n is an integer in the range from to 10 3.

14. A polymer as claimed in claim 13 wherein n is an integer in the range from to 500.

15. A polymer as claimed in any of claims 1-14 where M+ is H+; m, m' and m"
are different from 0; the polymer contains sequences of the formula -(CH(Y)-CH2-O)n-where Y is hydrogen or methyl, and n is an integer in the range of 2-30; the ion complex of formula Ia, Ib, or Ic further having a pK a value of at the most 15.

16. A polymer as claimed in claim 15 where the ion complex of formula Ia, Ib, or Ic has a pK a value of at the most 10.

17. A polymer as claimed in claim 16 where the ion complex of formula Ia, Ib, or Ic has a pK a value of at the most 5

18. A polymer as claimed in claim 17 where the ion complex of formula Ia, Ib, or Ic has a pK a value of at the most 0.

19. An electrochemical battery comprising an electrolyte comprising a polymer as defined in any of claims 1-14.

20. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising an electrolyte comprising a polymer as defined any of claims 1-18 wherein M+ is H+.