Triggerable Ion Release in Polymerized Ionic Liquids Containing Thermally Labile Diels–Alder Linkages

Controlling the mobile ion content of ion-containing polymers is critical for advanced organic electronic applications. Here, we report a chemical strategy for achieving “on-demand” release of ions in polymeric materials by incorporating thermally labile Diels–Alder linkages into polymerized ionic liquids. Electrical characterization demonstrates a clear increase in mobile ion content at the retro-Diels–Alder temperature, which is retained after the material is returned to room temperature. This work demonstrates that chemical triggers can be utilized to release ions and change the mobile ion content of a polymeric material after the sample is prepared, paving the way for new classes of responsive organic electronic devices.