Title
Cationic Cobaltocene Derivatives and Polyelectrolyte Membranes for Energy Storage Applications
Date of Award
Fall 2019
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Chuanbing Tang
Second Advisor
Brian C. Benicewicz
Abstract
Metal-containing polyelectrolytes (or metallo-polyelectrolytes) represent a new class of polymeric materials with distinct properties compared to traditional organo- polyelectrolytes or neutral metallopolymers. This emerging class of synthetic materials is ubiquitous for a myriad of utilities ranging from traditional electrolyte chemistry to biomedicals to sustainable applications, to name just a few. This dissertation work is focused on the design, synthesis, characterization and application of advanced metallo- cations and metallo-polyelectrolytes for energy storage applications. First, a template method to prepare metallo-polyelectrolytes based on cationic cobaltocene and polyethylene backbone was described. The resulting membranes are mechanically tough, ionically conductive and chemically inert. Second, a family of substituted cobaltocenium cations and their derivatives was designed by theoretical calculation and experimentally synthesized for the first time. The redox behaviors and chemical stability of these metallo- cations were systematically examined and complemented those of state-of-the-art organic cations. Furthermore, substituted cobaltocene cation was integrated to construct solid polyelectrolyte membranes for energy storage devices (e.g. solid-state alkaline fuel cells). The device performance of these polyelectrolytes under highly basic and oxidative environments is also discussed.
Recommended Citation
Zhu, T.(2019). Cationic Cobaltocene Derivatives and Polyelectrolyte Membranes for Energy Storage Applications. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/5563