NZ745563A

NZ745563A - Improved hydrophilic compositions

Info

Publication number: NZ745563A
Application number: NZ745563A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Ian Hammerton; Brendan Howlin; Donald James Highgate
Original assignee: Superdielectrics Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-11
Filing date: 2016-11-30
Publication date: 2022-04-29
Also published as: JP2021185227A; JP2019515971A; AU2016397051A1; US11168167B2; JP7471773B2; US20220002462A1; RU2018134080A; CN109153755B; WO2017153706A1; ES3045233T3; EP3426703A1; CA3015289A1; RU2739035C2; ZA201805661B; US11702496B2; EP3426703C0; AU2016397051B2; CN109153755A; MX2018010647A; US20190062481A1

Abstract

A process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co- polymer comprising the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a co- monomer mixture; c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture; wherein formula (I) is defined as: wherein: R1and R2are independently optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl; X-is an anion.

Description

Improved hilic compositions Field of the invention The present invention relates to improved onically active hydrophilic polymers and their production.

Background of the invention Intrinsically electronically tive polymers are known, and are understood to mean materials in which the conduction process is principally dependent upon electron transfer. This is in contrast to ionically tive polymers, where the conduction process is principally dependent on ion transfer.

As a result of their electronic conductivity, electronically conductive polymers may have applicability within electronic systems, such as car batteries, mobile phone screens and computer screens. The functioning of these electronic systems relies on the transmission and proper control of electrons.

Electronically conductive polymers include etylene, which has achieved electrical conductivities of 107 S/m approximating to that of common metals, while cial materials supplied as dispersions in water, e.g. polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene sulphonate (PEDOT:PSS, commercially available as Clevios 500®), have a conductivity of 3x104 S/m and exceed the conductivity of graphite commonly used as a conductor in electrochemical cells.

However, electronically conductive polymers have poor water properties, and this limits their applicability in aqueous environments. These electronically tive polymers become unstable when dispersed or dissolved in aqueous environments. They are therefore of most use when they are dry, and are of very limited use in electronic systems with a based environment e.g. car ies. Water-based environments in electronic systems may be saline, acid or alkaline aqueous environments.

Further, electronically conductive polymers can be nging to produce, and are usually produced as a non-self-supporting film. Owing to their lf-supporting nature, polymerisation or deposition is carried out on a solid support, such as a glass sheet, in order to form these rs. As such, the resulting polymer is a largely two-dimensional film, rather than a bulk threedimensional structure.

Summary of the invention It has been found that, when mixed in a particular order, a co-monomer mixture comprising at least one hobic monomer, at least one hydrophilic monomer, water, at least one cross-linker, at least one compound of formula (I), and an intrinsically electronically active material, provides (once polymerised) a new electronically active hilic co-polymer. This material is homogenous and isotropic in its conductive properties, and in its water properties. It is hydrophilic, crosslinked and electronically conductive, throughout its entire structure.

Formula (I) is defined as follows: N+ X- R1 (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion; As a result of their hydrophilicity, the ymers described herein have good water properties resulting in improved performance in aqueous environments of electronic systems (existing hydrophilic materials are lly conductive, rather than electronically conductive). The ymers are stable in a wide-variety of different water-based environments, and perform well not only in distilled deionized (DD) water, but also in aqueous environments such as saline, brine, acid or alkali solution. Furthermore, the co-polymers described herein also have excellent mechanical properties and electrical tivity. It is thought that the use of at least one compound of formula (I) imparts particularly improved electrical properties to the final ymer. As such, the co-polymer materials disclosed herein have wide applicability within electronic systems, ing those with water-based environments, such as car batteries. This is in contrast to existing electronic materials such as PEDOT:PSS, which is tionally used only in dry environments, owing to its poor water properties.

Further, the specific order of mixing used to obtain the co-monomer e allows a bulk three-dimensional co-polymer structure to be achieved (rather than a largely mensional polymer film). The resulting co-polymer is self-supporting, and as such does not need to be rized onto a substrate.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer comprising the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic r, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a comonomer mixture; c. rising the co-monomer mixture; wherein formula (I) is defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a homogenous, pic electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer obtainable by the process according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a co-monomer mixture sing at least one hydrophobic monomer, at least one hydrophilic monomer, water, at least one cross-linker, an intrinsically electronically active material, and at least one compound of formula (I), formula (I) being defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion.

Further aspects are defined in the independent claims and include a variety of industrial products that make use of electronic systems. One such rial product is a supercapacitor. As a result of their improved onic properties, the co-polymers described herein may be used as the electrolyte component within a apacitor system. When the co-polymers described herein are used in this context, the resulting supercapacitor achieves particularly high capacitance values. Furthermore, as a result of the ed mechanical properties and self-supporting nature of the co-polymers described herein, the ing supercapacitor does not require an additional separator.

Description of the preferred embodiments As used herein, the term er" takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to a molecular compound that may chemically bind to another monomer to form a polymer.

As used herein, the term "co-monomer mixture", takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to a solution or dispersion of miscible monomers that, when polymerised, forms a co-polymer.

As used herein, the term -linker" refers to molecular compound capable of forming chemical bonds between polymer chains, and includes compounds such as methylenebisacrylamide, ydroxy-2,2- dimethoxyethyl)acrylamide, allyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Allyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate are preferred. The linker may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

As used herein, the term "polymerisation initiator" takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to an agent capable of initiating the process of chemical polymerisation, for example free-radical polymerisation.

Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and-hydroxymethylpriophenone are examples of such initiators. Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) has utility when polymerisation is by thermal means, and oxymethylpriophenone is suitable for use with UV polymerisation.

As used herein, the term "intermediatemixture" refers to a solution or dispersion to which further ents are added. For instance, in the context of forming the co-monomer mixture, the term "intermediate mixture" refers to a mixture including some, but not all the components of the complete co-monomer mixture.

As used , the term "co-polymer" takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to a polymer whose polymer chains comprise two or more different types of rs.

As used herein, the term "water ties" when usedin relation to a polymer material, refers the properties and behaviour of that polymer material in relation to water and other aqueous environments, such as saline solution i.e. its hydrophilicity and stability in an aqueous environment.

As used herein, the term "homogenous", when used in relation to a polymer material, refers to a r material whose physical properties (e.g. conductive properties and water properties) are substantially uniform throughout its entire ure.

As used herein, the term "isotropic", when used in relation to a polymer material, refers to a polymer material whose properties are the same in all orientations.

As used herein, the term "homogenous" when used in relation to a co- monomer mixture, refers to a co-monomer on or dispersion comprising miscible monomers that are uniformly dissolved or mixed.

As used , the term "hydrophilic polymer" refers to a polymer that dissolves in water when it is not cross-linked and absorbs water and swells to form a stable elastic solid when cross-linked.

As used herein, the term philic r" takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to a monomer with an affinity for water molecules. The term "hydrophobic r" also takes its usual definition in theart, and so refers to a monomer that repels water molecules.

As used herein, the term "electrically active" takes its usual definition in the art, and so can encompass both electronically active and ionically active materials.

As used herein, the term ronically active material" takes its usual definition in the art, and refers to a material in which the conduction process is principally dependent upon electron transfer, or in which an electron is yielded as an output at an interface.

As used herein, the term "intrinsically electronically active material" refers to a material that is electronically active without requiring further modification to be rendered electronically active.

As used herein, the term ally active material" takes its usual tion in the art, and refers to a material in which the conduction process is principally dependent on ion transfer.

As used herein, the term "water" as a component in the intermediateor co-monomer mixture refers to added water, i.e. water added to the ing components not including any water already associated with the raw als of the remaining components, e.g. when such raw materials are ed as an aqueous solution or dispersion.

As used herein, C1-C6 alkyl refers to a straight or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, yl, entyl, neopentyl, isopentyl, sec-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-hexyl, tert-hexyl, isohexyl and sec- hexyl.

Unless otherwise specified in the context in which it , the term "substituted" as applied to any moiety herein means substituted with at least one substituent, for example selected from )alkyl, (C1-C6)aIkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, mercapto, mercapto(C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkylthio, halo (including fluoro and ), trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, nitro, nitrile (-CN), oxo, phenyl, -COOH, -COORA, -CORA, -SO2RA, -CONH2, -SO2NH2, -CONHRA, - SO2NHRA, -CONRARB, -SO2NRARB, -NH2, -NHRA, -NRARB, 2, - OCONHRA, -OCONRARB, -NHCORA, -NHBCOORA, -NRBCOORA, -NHSO2ORA, - NRBSO2ORA, -NHCONH2, -NRACONH2, -NHCONHRB, -NRACONHRB, - NHCONRARB or -NRACONRARB wherein RA and RB are independently a (C1C6)alkyl group, or RA and RB when attached to the same en may form a cyclic amino ring such as a morpholinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl ring. An "optional substituent" or "substituent" may be one of the foregoing tuent groups.

As used herein, the term "liquid electrolyte" takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to a solution of cations (such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium) and anions (such as chloride, carbonate and phosphate) dissolved in a solvent, such as water, acetonitrile, propylene carbonate or ydrofuran. As used herein, the term "aqueous electrolyte" takes its usual tion in the art, and so refers to an aqueous on containing cations (such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium) and anions (such as chloride, carbonate and phosphate).

As used herein, the term "optoelectronic display device" takes its usual definition in the art, and so refers to a device capable of sourcing, detecting and controlling electromagnetic , such as infra-red ultraviolet, or visible light.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer comprising the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of a (I) with water to form an ediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a comonomer mixture; c. rising the co-monomer mixture; wherein formula (I) is defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion.

Preferably, the electronically active material is a polymer.

It has been found that when the components are mixed in the specific order ing to the first aspect of the present ion, a homogenous co- monomer mixture is obtained. This is in st to the other le orders of mixing, where the components are prone to separate out into distinct layers during the polymerisation process, y preventing the formation of a continuous material. As these problems are avoided with the process disclosed herein, a continuous bulk three-dimensional co-polymer structure is achieved, that is of a self-supporting nature.

More preferably, the intrinsically electronically active material is PEDOT:PSS. The problems associated with other orders of mixing aside from that of the process disclosed herein are particularly pronounced for PEDOT:PSS. Yet, when PEDOT:PSS is used as the intrinsically electronically active material in the context of the present invention, good s are achieved, as shown in the examples.

The use of at least one compound of formula (I) results in the final copolymer having particularly improved electrical properties. The at least one compound of formula (I) is present in an amount of 8% to 33% by weight, ably, 14% to 20% by weight, most ably 17% by weight based on the total weight of the co-monomer mixture. The compound of formula (I) is typically added in step a) as an ionic liquid. For the avoidance of doubt, the imidazolium component of the compound of formula (I) also covers imidazolium tautomers due to electronic delocalisation around the imidazolium ring, and so includes the following ures: Preferably, X- is selected from Cl-, C2N3-, CH3O3S-, BF4-, PF6-, CF3SO3-, Al2Cl7-, AlCl4- NO3-, OH-, F-, Br-, I-, S2-, N3-, O2-, CO32-, ClO32-, , CN-, Cr2O72- , SCN-, SO32-, MnO4-, CH3COO-, HCO3-, ClO4- and C2O42-. More preferably, X- is selected from Cl-, C2N3-, CH3O3S-, BF4-, PF6-, CF3SO3-, Al2Cl7-, AlCl4- and NO3-.

Most preferably, X- is selected from Cl-, C2N3- and CH3O3S-..

Preferably, the optional substituent is selected from one or more of hydroxyl, halo, NH2, NO2., CH3O, CO2H, COOOH, NR, NRR’, NHCOR and RSH, wherein R and R’ are C1-C6 alkyl. Morepreferably, the optional tuent is ed from one or more of hydroxyl, halo, NH2 or NO2. When either or both of R1 and R2 are substituted with particular functional groups, the dispersion properties of resulting compound of formula (I) can be adjusted and improved.

R1 and R2 may be the same or ent. Preferably, one of R1 and R2 is optionally substituted methyl, and the other is optionally tuted ethyl.

Most ably, the at least one compound of formula (I) is selected from 1-ethylmethylimidazolium chloride, 1-ethylmethylimidazolium dicyanamide, and 1-ethylmethylimidazolium methanesulfonate.

Preferably, in step b, the at least one hydrophilic monomer and the at least one hobic monomer are added to the intermediate mixture prior to the addition of the linker.

Preferably, in step b, the at least one hydrophilic r is added to the intermediate mixture prior to the addition of the at least one hydrophobic monomer.

Preferably, the at least one hydrophilic monomer is selected from methacrylic acid, yethyl methacrylate (e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), ethyl te, vinyl pyrrolidone (e.g. lpyrrolidone), propenoic acid methyl ester (e.g. propenoic acid 2-methyl ester), monomethacryloyloxyethyl phthalate, poly-vinyl alcohol, ammonium sulphatoethyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the co-monomer mixture comprises one hydrophilic monomer.

More preferably, the at least one hydrophilic monomer is selected from vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, or a ation thereof. More preferably, the at least one hydrophilic monomer is selected from 1-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the at least one hydrophobic monomer is selected from methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile (AN), ryloxypropyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, allyl methacrylate, or a combination f. Preferably, the co-monomer mixture comprises one hydrophobic monomer.

More preferably, the at least one hydrophobic monomer is selected from acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the at least one cross-linker is selected from allyl methacrylate or ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

It will be appreciated from the definitions above, that the terms used above are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, the terms "hydrophobic monomer" and "cross-linker" are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In the present ion, the hydrophobic monomer and the crosslinker may be the same or different.

The hydrophobic monomer may, in certain embodiments, be the same as the cross-linker. For example, in certain embodiments, both the cross-linker and the hydrophobic monomer are allyl methacrylate.

In some ments, the hydrophilic monomer and/or the hydrophobic monomer are non-cross-linking. There is no overlap between the terms "noncross-linking hobic monomer", "non-cross-linking hydrophilic monomer" and "cross-linker". In these ments, the cross-linker, the hobic monomer and the hydrophilic monomers are different chemical species.

Preferably, the hydrophobic monomer is a different chemical species to the cross-linker. In these embodiments, the use of a hobic monomer that is different to the cross-linker allows the formation of a co-polymer with particularly good mechanical stability, as stated in the Examples.

Preferably, the polymerisation step is carried out by thermal, UV or gamma radiation.

More preferably, the polymerisation step is d out by UV or gamma radiation.

In a preferred ment, the co-monomer mixture further comprises a polymerisation initiator. The polymerisation initiator may be azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) or 2-hydroxymethylpriophenone.

The presence of a polymerisation initiator is ularly preferred when the polymerisation is by thermal or UV radiation. In one embodiment, the polymerisation is by thermal means and the initiator is azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). In another embodiment, the polymerisation is by UV radiation and the initiator is 2-hydroxymethylpriophenone.

The dual components of the co-monomer mixture should be included in sufficient quantities such that they mix uniformly thereby forming a homogenous on or dispersion.

The hydrophobic monomer may be t in an amount of 5% to 80% by weight, preferably, 5% to 60% by weight, most preferably 5% to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the co-monomer mixture. The hydrophilic monomer may be present in an amount of 5% to 90% by weight, preferably 5% to 80% by , most ably 50% to 70% by weight based on the total weight of the co-monomer e. The cross -linker agent may be present in the co-monomer mixture in an amount of 1% to 25% by weight, preferably 2% to % by weight, most preferably 2% to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the co-monomer mixture. The sically electronically active material may be present in an amount of 1% to 20% by weight and most preferably 2% to 10% by weight.

The amount of water in the co-monomer mixture must be sufficient to provide a uniformly mixed homogenous solution or dispersion, and must be sufficient to uniformly disperse the intrinsically electronically active material, which is insoluble in water. The amount of water in the co -monomer mixture may be 1% to 50% by weight, preferably 5% to 50% by weight, most preferably % to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the co-monomer mixture. ably, the ratio, by volume, of the at least one hydrophilic monomer to the at least one hobic monomer is from 20:1 to 1:1, more preferably, 20:1 to 5:1, in particular 10:1, in the co-monomer mixture.

Preferably, the ratio, by volume, of the at least one hydrophilic monomer and the at least one hydrophobic monomer : the intrinsically onically active al is from 30:1 to 2:1, more preferably 6:1 to 3:1, in the co-monomer mixture.

Preferably, the ratio, by volume, of the water to the intrinsically electronically active material is from 1:1 to 10:1, preferably 1:1 to 3:1, in particular 2:1, in the co-monomer mixture.

It has been found that particularly good results are achieved when using the components in the preferable ratios set out above. When used in these ratios, the components are particularly le with each other, and this assists the risation process and the ion of a continuous bulk co-polymer material. The ratios referred to are the volume ratios of the various components.

In a red embodiment, the co-polymer is hydrated following polymerisation. This ion step may be d out using distilled deionized (DD) water, or with an aqueous solution, such as saline, brine, acid, or alkali solution. When saline solution is used for the hydration step, the saline solution preferably has 0.002 g/cc to 0.1 g/cc of NaCl in water, more preferably 0.009 g/cc of NaCl in water. When brine solution is used for the hydration step, the brine solution preferably has 0.3 g/cc of NaCl in water. When acid solution is used for the ion step, the acid is preferably 5mol/dm3 H2SO4. When alkali solution is used for the hydration step, the alkali solution is preferably an aqueous solution of KOH with the KOH is present at 10 wt% to 30 wt%. It is preferred that this hydration step results in the amount of water in the co-polymer being at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 75% by weight based on the total weight of the hydrated co-polymer. Without wishing to be bound by theory, when water is present in this quantity, then it can act as a "plasticizer" and enable the other components of the co-polymer to have ient intermolecular mobility such that the conformation of the co-monomer self-organises over time.

For example, this self-organisation can occur within a period of about 7-14 days.

It has been observed that, following manufacture and/or further hydration, the electrical properties of the co-polymer improve over time. As such, in a preferred embodiment, the co-polymer is stored for at least 7 days, preferably for at least 14 days, following hydration. Not only are the co-polymers stable following hydration, but they also display ed electrical conductivity, as will be shown in the examples, where the properties are demonstrated to improve over a period of over 100 days after ion.

The co-polymers disclosed herein perform well in a variety of aqueous environments, and hydrate well in a variety of environments, as will be shown in the examples. Furthermore, the anion X- of formula (I) may be selected depending on the intended ing solution and/or the nature of the aqueous environment in which the co-polymers are ed to be used. As such, the copolymers disclosed herein may be tailored to be particularly well-suited for hydration in a particular solution and/or ed to be particularly well-suited for use in a particular industrial product. For example, when X- is methanesulfonate (CH3O3S-), the resulting co-polymers hydrate particularly well in aqueous ric acid. The resulting ymers also perform particularly well in aqueous sulphuric acid environments in that they display particularly good electrical conductivity. As such, the co-polymers that result when X- is methanesulfonate (CH3O3S-) perform particularly well in a lead acid battery (as lead acid batteries are of an aqueous sulphuric acid environment). By way of another example, when X- is chloride (Cl-) the resulting co -polymers hydrate particularly well in hloric acid, and display particularly good electrical conductivity in hydrochloric acid environments.

The omer mixture may be provided and polymerised using UV, gamma or l radiation. The UV or gamma radiation may be carried out under ambient temperature and pressure, whilst thermal polymerisation may be carried out at temperatures up to 70°C.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a homogenous and isotropic electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer obtainable by the process according to any of the ments set out with respect to the first aspect of the invention. It is believed that such a homogeneous co-polymer is novel.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a omer mixture sing at least one hydrophobic monomer, at least one hydrophilic monomer, water, at least one cross-linker, and an intrinsically electronically active material.

Preferred hydrophobic monomers, hydrophilic monomers, intrinsically electronically active materials and cross-linkers are defined above.

The polymerisation of the above-mentioned co-monomer es result in the nous, isotropic electronically active hilic co-polymers disclosed herein.

Co-polymers and co-monomer mixtures disclosed herein can be used in a variety of applications, and are particularly useful in electronic systems with a water-based environment. However, the co-polymers disclosed herein also provide ts when used in other electronic systems i.e. those with non-waterbased environments, owing to their excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. ably, the co-monomer mixture disclosed herein is used in 3D printing, wherein the co-monomer mixture is polymerised to form a 3D image. It is thought that the hydrophilicity of the co-polymers formed from the co-monomer mixture is advantageous when forming a 3D printed image. ably, the co-polymers disclosed herein are used in a battery together with an aqueous electrolyte. Preferably, the battery is a lead acid battery. Alternatively, the co -polymers disclosed herein are used in an electrochemical cell together with water or an aqueous electrolyte. In this embodiment, the battery or electrochemical cell may be flexible, which is le due to the advantageous properties of the co-polymers of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the co-polymers disclosed herein are used in a photovoltaic cell.

Preferably, the ymers disclosed herein are used as the electrolyte component within a supercapacitor system. As will be appreciated by the d person, supercapacitors generally comprise two odes and an olyte component located etween. The maximum capacitance value achieved by a supercapacitor may depend on the nature of the electrolyte as well as the nature of the electrodes. As will also be appreciated by the skilled person, there are multiple different kinds of supercapacitor systems. These e double- layer supercapacitors, pseudo-capacitive supercapacitors, and hybrid supercapacitors. Double-layer apacitors lly comprise carbon electrodes that are of comparatively low cost. The capacitance of double-layer supercapacitors is largely electrostatic capacitance. Meanwhile, pseudocapacitive supercapacitors comprise comparatively higher cost electrodes that are capable of undergoing an ion-reduction (redox) reaction together with the electrolyte. Such redox active electrodes can comprise, for example, lanthanum ruthenium or vanadium. The capacitance of pseudo-capacitive supercapacitors is therefore significantly increased (or augmented) by electrochemical capacitance. Hybrid supercapacitors comprise a ation of electrodes with differing characteristics, and can for example comprise one carbon electrode and one electrode capable of undergoing a redox reaction with the electrolyte. The capacitance of hybrid supercapacitors is ore a combination of electrostatic capacitance and electrochemical capacitance.

Conventionally, the electrolyte component within the above supercapacitor systems is a liquid electrolyte.

When the co-polymers disclosed herein are used in place of the conventional liquid electrolyte of a supercapacitor, the resulting supercapacitor achieves particularly high capacitance values. This is demonstrated in the examples. When the co-polymers disclosed herein are used in a double-layer supercapacitor, the capacitance values achieved are three to four orders of magnitude larger relative to the capacitance values that are achieved with a conventional liquid electrolyte. When the co-polymers disclosed herein are used in a pseudo-capacitive supercapacitor, the tance values achieved a further sed by a factor of 2 (i.e. relative to the capacitance values of a double layer supercapacitor including the co-polymers of the invention). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that pseudo-capacitive apacitors achieve higher capacitance values due to the ability of the electrolyte and the electrodes to undergo a redox reaction with each other.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that the onic properties of the co-polymers disclosed herein are such that an effective redox reaction is achieved, thereby providing particularly sed capacitance values. Good capacitance values are also achieved in the context of hybrid apacitors.

In summary, for a given supercapacitor system and with a given ode, the maximum capacitance is increased when using the co-polymers disclosed herein as the olyte component within a supercapacitor. Further, the copolymers remain stable across a commercially acceptable voltage range, as shown in the examples.

Furthermore, as a result of the improved ical properties and selfsupporting nature of the co-polymers described herein, a supercapacitor including the co-polymers disclosed herein as the electrolyte component does not require an additional tor. Conventionally, when a liquid electrolyte is used within a supercapacitor system, it is necessary for the supercapacitor to further comprise an onal separator in order to maintain separation between the two electrodes. When the co-polymers described herein are used in place of the conventional liquid electrolyte, their ical ties and selfsupporting nature is such that tion between the electrodes is maintained even in absence of an additional separator.

In another embodiment, the ymers sed herein are used in a sensing system. Sensing systems may include one or more chemical components, where these chemical components are capable of detecting a particular compound. Advantageously, these one or more chemical components may be dispersed hout the ure of the co-polymers disclosed herein, and the resulting co-polymer included in the sensing system. The co-polymers disclosed herein act as a support matrix for the chemical components, wherein the chemical components are stably retained within the co-polymer structure, and their sensing ability preserved. The particular compounds detected by such sensing systems can include glucose. The skilled person will be familiar with the chemical components capable of detecting glucose, and such chemical components can include Benedict’s reagent (which comprises anhydrous sodium carbonate, sodium citrate and copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate).

In another embodiment, the co-polymers disclosed herein are used in an ectronic display device. In this ment, the ectronic display device is preferably flexible, which is possible due to the advantageous properties of the co-polymers of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the co-polymers disclosed herein may be used to form an ically conducting adhesive junction, wherein the adhesive junction is positioned between adjacent electrically conducting ents. Preferably, the adjacent electrically conducting components er with the adhesive junction form a stack of integrated circuits, such as a stack of 2D electrical chips.

In another ment, there is a method of forming an electrically conducting adhesive junction comprising the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a comonomer mixture; introducing the omer mixture n adjacent electrically ting components; c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture in situ between said electrically conducting components; wherein formula (I) is defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are ndently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion.

The method of forming an electrically conducting adhesive junction may se any of the onal features specified in relation to the process of forming a co-polymer disclosed herein. Further, in another embodiment, there is an electrically conducting adhesive junction formed by this method.

The present invention will now be demonstrated according to the following examples.

Example 1: 3:1 VP to PEDOT-PSS with l methylimidazolium chloride 1-ethyl methylimidazolium chloride will hereinafter be referred to as "CL-14".

A hydrophilic co-polymer was prepared using vinyl pyrollidone and PEDOT-PSS in a 3:1 ratio, er with CL-14 as a compound of formula (I), and allyl-methacrylate (as inking agent and hydrophobic co-monomer).

To obtain a 3:1 ratio of VP to PEDOT-PSS, 1g of CL-14 was dissolved in 1ml PEDOT-PSS (supplied as a dispersion). Then, 1.5ml of water was added, and the resulting mixture stirred continuously with a stirrer bar for 20 minutes. 3ml of 1-vinylpyrolidone was then added dropwise to the PEDOT-PSS/CL- 14/water mixture. After a uniformly mixed mixture was achieved, l of allyl methacrylate was added, and 0.11ml of 2-hydroxymethylpriophenone was added as the initiator.

The resulting co-monomer mixture was cured under UV to produce a cross-linked co-polymer. The water content of the ymer "as made" i.e. without further hydration was measured as 45%. The conductivity was measured immediately following manufacture, and then measured again at various numbers of days after manufacture. The results are shown in Table 1 (below) and in Figure 1.

VP:PEDOTPSS No. of days Mass Thickness Minimum Maximum (3:1) + Cl-14 after (g) (mm) current t hydration and (mA) (mA) initial test 0 - 1.03 0.03 0.82 21 - 1.03 1.20 35.02 Water t 26 0.666 1.03 1.21 34.52 0.664 0.99 1.23 34.59 0.591 1.05 0.53 32.73 Table 1 VP:PEDOT-PSS + CL-14 (45% water t) As can be seen from these results, the co-polymer displays good electrical conductivity immediately after manufacture, and exhibits further improved electrical properties with time following manufacture.

Example 1a and 1b – hydrated co-polymers Hydrophilic cross-linked ymers were made by the same process as that for Example 1. These were then hydrated in a) saline solution (0. 009g/cc NaCl in DD water) and b) brine (0.3g/cc Na Cl in water). 1a – hydration in saline (0.009g/cc NaCl in DD water) The co-polymer of example 1 was hydrated until a maximum level of hydration was d (corresponding to a water content of approximately 80% water by weight). The conductivity was measured immediately after hydration, and then measured again following various numbers of days after hydration.

The s are shown in Table 2 (below) and in Figure 2.

In Table 2, the term "expansion ratio" refers to the thickness of the co- polymer (i.e. the shortest linear dimension of the co-polymer) after a maximum level of hydration has been reached divided by the thickness of the co-polymer before hydration. The thickness was measured by any le means such as a micrometer, vernier callipers or a travelling microscope.

No. of PEDOTPSS Min Max days Expansion Mass Thickness (3:1) + CL- current current after ratio (g) (mm) 14 (mA) (mA) 0 0.702 0.62 33.98 Maximum 4 0.712 1.03 36.78 hydration in 1.35 1.29 6 0.722 0.97 76.75 saline 12 0.702 5.61 117.09 Table 2: VP:PEDOT-PSS + CL-14 (maximum hydration in saline) 1b – hydration in brine The co-polymer of example 1 was hydrated in brine until a maximum level of hydration was reached (corresponding to a water content of approximately 75% by ). The conductivity was measured immediately after hydration, and then measured again following various numbers of days after hydration.

The s are shown in Table 3 ) and in Figure 3.

The ion ratio in Table 3 was calculated in the same manner as for Table 2.

VP: No. of Min Max PEDOTPSS days Expansion Mass Thickness current t (3:1) + after ratio (g) (mm) (mA) (mA) CL-14 hydration 0 0.850 1.36 - 63.95 Maximum 6 0.853 1.65 - 113.86 ion in 14 1.27 0.853 1.51 - 149.73 brine 22 0.829 1.30 4.26 171.68 29 - 1.64 4.69 344.86 Table 3: OT-PSS + CL-14 (maximum hydration in brine) As can be seen, the co-polymers display good electrical conductivity immediately after hydration in each s solution, and exhibit further improved electrical properties with time following hydration.

Example 2: 3:1 VP to PEDOT-PSS with 1-ethymethylimidazolium methanesulfonate 1-ethymethylimidazolium methanesulfonate will hereinafter be referred to as ST-35.

A hydrophilic cross-linked co-polymer was obtained using the same method as that set out for Example 1, except that ST-35 was used in place of CL-14.

The water t of the ymer "as made" i.e. without further hydration was measured as 45%. The conductivity was measured immediately following manufacture, and then measured again at 9 days after manufacture.

The results are shown in Table 4 (below) and in Figure 4.

No. of VP: days Min Max Thickness PEDOTPSS after current current (3:1) + ST-35 manufactur (mA) (mA) 45% water 0 1.31 0.01 1.82 content 9 1.24 0.08 3.31 Table 4: VP:PEDOT-PSS + ST-35 (45% water content) As can be seen from these results, the co-polymer displays good electrical conductivity immediately after manufacture, and exhibits further ed ical properties with time following manufacture.

Example 2a and 2b – hydrated ymers Cross-linked co-polymers were made by the same process as that for Example 2. These were then hydrated in a) DD water and b) sulphuric acid solution (concentration 5mol/dm3). 2a – ion in DD water The co-polymer of example 2 was hydrated until a maximum level of hydration was reached at 25 ºC (corresponding to a water content of approximately 78% by weight). The conductivity was measured immediately after hydration, and then measured again following 7 days after hydration. The results are shown in Table 5 (below) and in Figure 5.

The ion ratio in Table 5 was ated in the same manner as for Table 2.

No. of days VP: after Expansion Min Max Thickness PEDOTPSS manufacture ratio current current (3:1) + ST-35 and initial (mA) (mA) Maximum 0 1.74 1.23 18.45 hydration in 1.30 7 1.74 1.87 24.64 DD water Table 5: VP:PEDOT-PSS + ST-35 (maximum hydration in DD water) 2a – hydration in ric acid solution The co-polymer of example 2 was hydrated until a maximum level of hydration was reached (corresponding to a water content of approximately 84% by weight). The conductivity was measured im mediately after hydration, and then measured again following 7 days after hydration. The results are shown in Table 6 (below) and in Figure 6.

The expansion ratio in Table 6 was calculated in the same manner as for Table 2.

No. of days VP: after Min Max Thickness PEDOTPSS manufacture Expansion current current (3:1) + ST-35 and initial ratio (mA) (mA) Maximum 0 1.79 5.78 37.04 hydration in 1.44 7 1.88 7.19 128.30 H2SO4 Table 6: VP:PEDOT-PSS + ST-35 um hydration in H2SO4) As can be seen, the co-polymers display good ical conductivity immediately after hydration in each aqueous solution, and exhibit further improved electrical properties with time following hydration.

Example 3 Three co-polymers were prepared using three different ratios of vinyl pyrollidone to PEDOT-PSS, and their electrical conductivities compared.

A first hilic ymer was prepared using vinyl pyrollidone and PEDOT-PSS in a 4:1 ratio, together with CL-14 as a nd of formula (I), and allyl-methacrylate (as crosslinking agent and hydrophobic co-monomer).

A 4:1 ratio of VP to PEDOT-PSS was ed by dissolving 1g of 1- ethylmethylimidazolium chloride in 1ml PSS. 1.5ml of water was then added whilst stirring using a stirrer bar. 4ml of 1-vinylpyrrolidone was then added dropwise to the PEDOT-PSS/CL-14/water mixture. Once a uniform mixture was achieved, 0.195ml of allyl methacrylate and 0.13ml of 2-hydroxy methylpriophenone (as the initiator) was added.

The resulting co-monomer mixture was be cured under UV to produce a linked co-polymer.

A second hydrophilic co-polymer was prepared using vinyl pyrollidone and PEDOT-PSS in a 3:1 ratio, together with CL-14 as a compound of formula (I), and allyl-methacrylate (as crosslinking agent and hydrophobic co-monomer).

This co-polymer was prepared using the same method as that for the first copolymer of this e, except that 3ml of 1-vinylpyrrolidone was used instead of 4ml.

A third hydrophilic co-polymer was prepared using vinyl pyrollidone and PEDOT-PSS in a 2:1 ratio, together with CL-14 as a compound of formula (I), and allyl-methacrylate (as crosslinking agent and hydrophobic co-monomer).

This ymer was prepared using the same method as that for the first co- polymer of this example, except that 2ml of 1-vinylpyrrolidone was used instead of 4ml. The conductivity of each of the above three co-polymers was measured immediately following manufacture, and then measured again at various numbers of days after manufacture. The results are shown in Table 7 (below) and at s 7, 8, and 9.

No. of days Mass Thickness Minimum Maximum VP:PEDOTPSS + after (g) (mm) current current Cl-14 + water manufacture (mA) (mA) 0 - 1.06 0.02 0.62 21 - 1.06 0.90 30.88 4:1 30 0.630 1.02 1.07 31.47 0.528 1.01 0.89 29.36 107 0.537 1.01 0.87 32.07 0 - 1.03 0.03 0.82 21 - 1.03 1.20 35.02 3:1 26 0.666 1.03 1.21 34.52 0.664 0.99 1.23 34.59 0.591 1.05 0.53 32.73 2:1 0 0.709 0.77 0.16 13.28 6 0.710 0.77 0.21 12.98 12 0.759 0.81 0.66 18.71 63 0.781 0.85 0.55 29.09 Table 7. OTPSS + CL-14 with varying ratios of VP:PEDOTPSS As can be seen, all of these co-polymers display good electrical conductivity with improvements over time ing manufacture.

Examples 4 to 9 The terminology in the table below applies across es 4 to 9: Acronym Component VP 1-vinylpyrrolidone SS poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)- poly(styrenesulfonate) as a 1.3 wt% dispersion in H2O (PEDOT 0.5 wt%, PSS 0.8 wt%) CL4 1-ethylmethylimidazolium chloride ST35 1-ethylmethylimidazolium methansulfonate 413 1-ethylmethylimidazolium dicyanamide Across Examples 4-9, s co-polymers were prepared. The composition of the co-polymers across Examples 4-9 are listed in the table below, and were prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3: The abbreviated term listed in the "co-polymer" column of the table below will be used throughout examples 4-9: Co-polymer ition VP:PEDOTPSS:CL4 3ml VP, 1ml PEDOTPSS, 1g CL14, 1.5ml H2O VP:PEDOTPSS:ST35 3ml VP, 1ml PEDOTPSS, 1g ST35, 1.5ml H2O VP:PEDOTPSS:413 3ml VP, 1ml PEDOTPSS, 1ml 413, 1.5ml H2O Where able, the following hydration solutions were used. The abbreviated term listed in the "solution" column of the table below will be used throughout examples 4-9: Solution Composition H2O Double distilled water Saline 0.9 g NaCl in 100 ml double distilled water Brine 6.0 g NaCl in 100 ml double distilled water H2SO4 5mol/dm3 H2SO4 The electrical properties of the co-polymers of examples 4-9 were tested under potentiostatic conditions within either a cylindrical electrode device, or a flat electrode device.

The cylindrical electrode device comprises working and counter electrodes are glassy carbon rods with a cross-section of 0.06 cm2. The electrode surfaces are macroscopically smooth, thus their cross-sections can be taken as the ive electroactive area. The quasi-reference electrode consists of a Ag wire inserted in the active polymer film.

The flat electrode device was used in order to assess the suitability of these materials for large geometric areas (above 5 cm2).

All measurements were recorded with an Ivium – Compactstat under ambient conditions and humidity. Irreversible changes in the co-polymer structure (e.g. over-oxidation) were monitored by systematic analysis of the open-circuit potential between the g and reference electrodes.

Example 4 A OTPSS:Cl4 co-polymer was prepared using a similar methodology to that of es 1-3. The electrical properties of the ymer were tested. The results are shown in Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are cyclic voltammograms at 100 mV s-1 as a function of either the ve e 10) or positive (Figure 11) potential limits. The dashed lines indicate non-symmetrical t responses linked to irreversible structural changes (e.g. osition) in the co-polymer layer.

These results show that the co-polymer is stable across a potential window of approximately 2V, across which its structure and composition is not compromised. This behaviour is consistent with the electrochemical responses observed in PEDOT:PSS modified electrodes in electrochemical cells.

Example 5 A VP:PEDOTPSS:Cl4 co-polymer was prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The electrical properties of the co-polymer were . The results are shown in Figure 12, which is a cyclic voltammogram at scan rates of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mV s-1.

A further three VP:PEDOTPSS:Cl4 co-polymers were prepared using a similar ology to that of examples 1-3. The first co-polymer was then hydrated in H2O, the second co-polymer was hydrated in saline, and the third copolymer was ed in H2SO4. The electrical properties of each of these three co-polymers were tested, and the results are shown in Figure 13 (hydration in H2O), Figure 14 tion in saline), and Figure 15 tion in H2SO4).

Figures 13-15 are cyclic voltammograms at scan rates of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mV s-1.

The non-hydrated VP:PEDOTPSS:Cl4 co-polymer, and each of the three hydrated OTPSS:Cl4 co-polymers were also tested at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1, and the results are compared on the same voltammogram of Figure 16.

The results of Figures 12-16 indicate that the electrical ties of each co-polymer are characteristic of pseudo-capacitive supercapacitive systems.

Example 6 A VP:PEDOTPSS:Cl4 co-polymer was prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The electrical properties of the co-polymer were tested using two different flat electrode devices - these flat electrode devices differ from one another in the surface area of their electrodes. The results are shown in Figure 17 (electrode surface area of 0.5 cm2) and Figure 18 rode surface area of 0.6 cm2). Figures 17 and 18 are cyclic voltammograms at scan rates of 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mV s-1.

The results of s 17 and 18 indicate that the electrical ties of each co-polymer are characteristic of -capacitive apacitive systems. This is particularly with regards to the fact that the capacitive responses scale with the electrode area of the flat electrode device.

Example 7 Four VP:PEDOTPSS:Cl4 co-polymers were prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The first co-polymer was then ed in H2O, the second co-polymer was hydrated in saline, and the third co-polymer was hydrated in brine, and the fourth ymer was hydrated H2SO4. The electrical properties of each of these four co-polymers were , and the results are shown in Figure 19.

Four VP:PEDOTPSS:ST35 co-polymers were prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The first co-polymer was then hydrated in H2O, the second ymer was hydrated in saline, and the third co-polymer was hydrated in brine, and the fourth co-polymer was hydrated H2SO4. The electrical properties of each of these four co-polymers were tested, and the results are shown in Figure 20.

Four VP:PEDOTPSS:413 co-polymers were prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The first co-polymer was then hydrated in H2O, the second co-polymer was hydrated in saline, and the third co-polymer was hydrated in brine, and the fourth co-polymer was hydrated H2SO4. The electrical properties of each of these four co-polymers were , and the results are shown in Figure 21.

Figures 19-21 are cyclic voltammograms at scan rates of 100 mV s-1.

The results of s 19-21 show that the current recorded for co-polymers hydrated in H2O is smaller than the current recorded for co-polymers hydrated in saline.

Example 8 Two VP:PEDOTPSS:Cl4 co-polymers were prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The first co-polymer was then hydrated in H2O, and the second co-polymer was hydrated in saline. The electrical properties of each of these two co-polymers were tested. The results are shown in Figure 22 tion in H2O) and Figure 23 (hydration in saline). Figures 22 and 23 are cyclic voltammograms at scan rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mV s-1.

These results te that after ion, there is ion impregnation hout the co-polymer , which enables the formation of a more compact electrochemical double layer at the electrode surface. These results therefore support the possibility of incorporating chemical ents in the r matrix for use in sensing applications.

Example 9 A VP:PEDOTPSS:ST35 co-polymer was prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The co-polymer was then hydrated in saline. The electrical properties were tested. The results are shown in Figures 24 and 25. Figure 24 is a chronoamperometric transient from 1V to various negative potentials. Figure 25 plots the charges obtained by integration of the transients as a function of amplitude of the potential step. The results of these figures are indicative of electrolytic tance. In particular, the saline hydrated VP:PEDOTPSS:ST35 co-polymer ys capacitance in the order of 0.010 F cm-2. This capacitance value is over three orders of magnitude larger than the ric capacitance at carbon electrodes in aqueous electrolyte.

Example 10 A VP:PEDOTPSS:ST35 co-polymer was prepared using a similar methodology to that of examples 1-3. The co-polymer was then hydrated in saline. The electrical properties were tested. The results are shown in Figure 26.

Figure 26 shows the frequency dependence of the phenomenological specific capacitance of the co-polymer. Capacitance values were obtained by examining the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at the open circuit potential. The specific capacitance approaches values close to 0.012 Fg-1.

WHAT I (OR WE)

Claims

CLAIM IS:

1. A process of forming a linked electronically active hydrophilic copolymer comprising the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one nd of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a comonomer mixture; c. rising the co-monomer mixture; n formula (I) is defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion; wherein the intrinsically electronically active material is selected from polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene sulphonate, polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyacetylene, or a combination thereof; wherein the at least one hydrophilic monomer is selected from methacrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, propenoic acid methyl ester, monomethacryloyloxyethyl ate, ammonium sulphatoethyl methacrylate, poly vinyl alcohol or a combination thereof; wherein the at least one hydrophobic monomer is selected from methyl methacrylate, allyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, methacryloxypropyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof; and wherein the hobic monomer and the cross-linker may be the same species or may be different species.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein X- is selected from Cl-, C2N3-, CH3O3S-, BF4-, PF6-, CF3SO3-, Al2Cl7-, AlCl4- NO3-, OH-, F-, Br-, I-, S2-, N3-, O2-, CO32-, , CrO42-, CN-, Cr2O72-, SCN-, SO32-, MnO4-, CH3COO-, HCO3-, ClO4- and C2O42-.

3. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optional substituent is selected from one or more of hydroxyl, halo, NH2, NO2., CH3O, CO2H, COOOH, NR, NRR’, NHCOR and RSH, wherein R and R’ are C1- C6 alkyl.

4. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of R1 and R2 is optionally substituted methyl, and the other is optionally substituted ethyl.

5. The process according any one of the preceding , wherein, in step b, the at least one hydrophilic monomer and the at least one hydrophobic monomer are added to the intermediate mixture prior to the addition of the crosslinker.

6. The process according to any one of the preceding , n, in step b, the at least one hydrophilic r is added to the intermediate e prior to the addition of the at least one hydrophobic monomer.

7. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymerisation step is carried out by thermal, UV or gamma radiation.

8. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, n the co-monomer mixture further comprises a polymerisation initiator.

9. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio by volume of the at least one hydrophilic monomer to the at least one hydrophobic monomer is from 20:1 to 1:1 in the omer mixture.

10. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio by volume of the at least one hydrophilic monomer to the at least one hydrophobic r is from 20:1 to 5:1 in the omer mixture.

11. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio by volume of the at least one hydrophilic monomer and the at least one hydrophobic monomer : the intrinsically electronically activ e material, is from 30:1 to 2:1 in the co-monomer mixture.

12. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio by volume of the at least one hydrophilic monomer and the at least one hydrophobic monomer : the intrinsically electronically active material, is from 6:1 to 3:1 in the co-monomer mixture.

13. The process according to any one of the preceding , wherein the ratio by volume of the water to the intrinsically onically active material is from 1:1 to 10:1 in the co-monomer mixture.

14. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio by volume of the water to the sically electronically active material is from 1:1 to 3:1 in the omer mixture.

15. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, further sing the step of hydrating the co-polymer after polymerisation.

16. The s according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the co-polymer is stored for at least 7 days following hydration.

17. The process according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the co-polymer is hydrated such that the hydrated co-polymer comprises at least 10 wt% water, based on the total weight of the hydrated co-polymer.

18. A homogenous, isotropic electronically active hydrophilic ymer obtainable by the process according to any one of the preceding .

19. A co-monomer mixture comprising at least one hydrophobic monomer, at least one hydrophilic monomer, water, at least one cross-linker, an intrinsically onically active material, and at least one compound of formula (I), formula (I) being defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion; wherein the intrinsically electronically active al is selected from polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene sulphonate, polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyacetylene, or a combination thereof; n the at least one hydrophilic r is selected from methacrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, propenoic acid methyl ester, monomethacryloyloxyethyl phthalate, ammonium sulphatoethyl methacrylate, poly vinyl alcohol or a combination thereof; n the at least one hydrophobic monomer is selected from methyl rylate, allyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, methacryloxypropyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof; and wherein the hydrophobic monomer and the cross-linker may be the same species or may be different species.

20. The co-monomer mixture according to claim 19, having any one of the additional features of claims 2-6 or 8-14.

21. Use of a co-monomer e according to claim 19 or claim 20, in 3D printing, wherein the co-monomer mixture is polymerised to form a 3D image.

22. Use according to claim 21, wherein the 3D printing uses a screen printing system or an ink-jet printing system.

23. A battery comprising an aqueous electrolyte and a co-polymer according to claim 18.

24. The y of claim 23, wherein the battery is a lead acid battery.

25. An electrochemical cell comprising water or an aqueous electrolyte and a co-polymer according to claim 18.

26. An optoelectronic display device comprising a co-polymer according to claim 18.

27. A mobile phone screen or a computer screen comprising a co-polymer according to claim 18.

28. An electrically conducting adhesive junction comprising a co-polymer according to claim 18, wherein the adhesive junction is positioned between adjacent electrically conducting components.

29. A method of forming an electrically conducting ve junction comprising the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a comonomer introducing the co-monomer e between adjacent electrically conducting components; c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture in situ between said electrically conducting components; wherein formula (I) is defined as: N+ X- R1 (I) R1 and R2 are independently optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; X- is an anion; wherein the intrinsically electronically active material is selected from polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene nate, polypyrrole, polyaniline, polyacetylene, or a combination thereof; wherein the at least one hydrophilic monomer is selected from methacrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, vinyl pyrrolidone, oic acid methyl ester, monomethacryloyloxyethyl phthalate, ammonium toethyl methacrylate, poly vinyl alcohol or a combination thereof; wherein the at least one hobic monomer is selected from methyl rylate, allyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, methacryloxypropyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof; and wherein the hydrophobic monomer and the cross-linker may be the same species or may be different species.

30. The method of claim 29 comprising any of the additional features ied in claims 2-28.

31. An electrically conducting adhesive junction formed by the method of claim 29 or 30.

32. A apacitor comprising two electrodes and a co-polymer according to claim 18 located therebetween.

33. A sensing system sing a co-polymer according to claim 18 with a chemical component dispersed throughout its structure, wherein said chemical component is capable of detecting a ular compound. Day 0 Day 21 Day 26 Day 30 Day 35 300 250 200 (45% water content) -14 1/ 26 14 3:1 (Water Content 45%) VP:PEDOTPSS CL- 150 Time (seconds)