Ion Conducting Polymers as Solid Electrolytes.
Abstract
Electrically conducting polymers have recently been the subject of much interest. In particular, their potential as electrolytes in solid-state batteries has gained the attention of the U.S. Navy. Current ion-conducting polymers have conductivities which are too low by a factor of ten at operational temperatures. In order to be able to obtain suitable conductivities in these polymers, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms governing ion motion in them must be attained. The processes involved in the ion conduction of one particular polymer, poly(propylene oxide) or PPO, were studied in this research. Samples were prepared using an ion implantation procedure developed as part of the project as well as by the traditional chemical complexing technique involving alkali-metal salt doping. The samples produced were analyzed using both differential scanning calorimetry and audio frequency complex impedance measurements. Results indicate that the polarity of the salts has a major effect upon the activation volume and the glass transition of PPO. As a result of these effects, it seems that non-polar anions may aid in increasing the cationic transport number of the polymer. More importantly, the first direct numerical evidence of a connection between the large scale segmental motions of the polymer chains and the chains and the conductivity has been established.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 28, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA171703
Entities
People
- Jeffrey D. Semancik
Organizations
- United States Naval Academy