HIGH-RATE VACUUM DEPOSITION OF POLYMER ELECTROLYTES

Two new, high rate, vacuum processes have been developed for the depos ition of polymer electrolyte layers on wide web substrates. One method involves the vacuum extrusion of monomer salt solutions followed by e -beam or ultraviolet (UV) curing. The second method involves the vacuu m flash evaporation of the monomer salt solution followed by e-beam or UV curing. Each method is compatible with simultaneous, in-line, depo sition by conventional processes like sputtering or evaporation in a w ide web system. Optically clear polymer electrolyte layers may be depo sited at line speeds in excess of 100 meters per minute with these new techniques. Ionic conductivity measurements will be presented for vac uum deposited, evaporated and extruded, polymer electrolyte layers. Fi lms were deposited with thicknesses ranging from 2 to 50 mu m. Applica tion of these methods to ongoing electrochromic and battery work at th e Pacific Northwest Laboratory will be discussed. (C) 1996 American Va cuum Society.