ROOM-TEMPERATURE POLYMER ELECTROLYTES AND BATTERIES BASED ON THEM

Factors responsible for the lo- ambient temperature conductivity of co nventional Polymer electrolytes are discussed. Conductivity can be inc reased with the use of plasticizers which cause a decoupling of ionic motion from that of the polymer chain and increase ionic mobility by l owering the viscosity of the ionic environment. Several non-convention al electrolytes prepared in this fashion have exhibited conductivities of > 10(-3) S/cm at room temperature. Li/LiMn2O4 and C/LiNiO2 recharg eable cells fabricated with these solid polymer electrolytes have show n room temperature discharge rate capability reminiscent of their trad itional liquid electrolyte counterparts.