Mixed Ionic-Electronic Transport in Polymers

Abstract

Polymeric mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) combine aspects of conjugated polymers, polymer electrolytes, and polyelectrolytes to simultaneously transport and couple ionic and electronic charges, opening exciting new applications in energy storage and conversion, bioelectronics, and display technologies. The many applications of polymeric MIECs lead to a wide range of transport conditions. Ionic and electronic transport are directly coupled through electrochemical doping, while the mechanisms of ionic and electronic transport depend on distinctly different chemical functionality, (macro)molecular structure, and morphology. Despite this, ionic and electronic transport are surprisingly tunable, independent of one another. We review the various types of polymeric MIECs, the mechanisms of ionic and electronic charge transport across conditions, and the interrelations between the two, with special emphasis on the unique aspects of polymeric MIEC transport phenomena.