Ion conductor structural body and process for producing ion conductor structural body

An ion conductor structural body having a high ion conductivity and excellent mechanical strength, comprising:

• (a) a polymer matrix;
• (b) a solvent capable of functioning as a plasticizer;
• and
• (c) an electrolyte,
• wherein the polymer matrix (a) comprises a polymer chain having at least a segment represented by general formula (1), a main chain portion of the polymer chain and a side chain portion of the segment having an orientation property, and the polymer matrix has a cross-linked structure
• wherein R1 and R2 are, respectively, H or an alkyl group of 2 or fewer carbon atoms, A is a group having at least a polyether group, and R3 is a group having at least an alkyl group of 6 or more carbon atoms,
• wherein R3 in the general formula (1) is a straight chain alkyl group of 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an alkyl benzyl group having a straight chain alkyl group of 6 to 22 carbon atoms,
• wherein a molecular weight ratio of the alkyl group of R3 to the polyether group of A is from 0.05 to 3.0, and
• wherein the ion conductor structural body includes a retaining material comprising at least one kind of a material selected from the group consisting of a powdery resin material, a powdery glass material, a powdery ceramic material, a nonwoven fabric and a porous film.

A process for producing an ion conductor structural body comprising at least a polymer matrix, a solvent capable of functioning as a plasticizer and an electrolyte, the process comprising the steps of:

• (a) mixing (i) a monomer represented by the following general formula (3), (ii) a solvent and (iii) an electrolyte to obtain a mixture;
• and
• (b) subjecting the mixture to a polymerization treatment by way of a polymerization reaction to form a polymer matrix as the ion conductor structural body
• wherein R1 and R2 is, respectively, H or an alkyl group of 2 or fewer carbon atoms, A is a group comprising at least a polyether group, and R3 is a group having at least an alkyl group of 6 or more carbon atoms,
• wherein a weight ratio of the solvent to the polymer matrix is from 1 to 20, and
• wherein a molecular weight ratio of the alkyl group of R3 to the polyether group of A is from 0.05 to 3.0.