Methacrylate comb polymers were synthesized that have amphiphilic teeth of ethylene glycol oligomers capped with alkyl groups. Both segments are of exact length to promote self-organization and crystallization. The atactic methacrylate backbone plus close proximity to the polymer backbone inhibits crystallization of the oligoethyelene oxide segments, but the terminal alkyl segments readily crystallize. Wide angle x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize polymer side chain crystallization and its evolution as a function of the length of the amphiphilic teeth. An analysis of the d-spacings places the oligoethylene glycol segment and the first 8 carbon atoms of the alkyl chain in an amorphous phase. An ~1Å/carbon atom increase in the d-spacing is consistent with the crystalline segments being tilted relative to the polymer backbone. When the number of carbon atoms in alkyl segments is ≥14, addition of LiClO 4 yields an ionic conducting ethylene oxide phase with retention of the alkyl crystallization. These novel polymer electrolytes use crystallization as a structural element to maintain dimensional stability.
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