THE IONIC CONDUCTIVE PROPERTY OF SULFONATED POLYETHYLENE OXIDE POLYURETHANE IONOMERS

A series of lithium and sodium salts of sulfonated polyethylene oxide (PEG) polyurethane ionomers in different levels of ionization were pre pared. It has been found that this material is a new type of ionic con ductive polymer, characterized by a single-ion transport mechanism and good mechanical properties. The ionization level significantly influe nces the ionic conductivity of the samples. When the mole ratio of the metal ion and ether oxygen atom is about 0.05, the ionomers exhibit m aximum cationic conductivity. An optimal cationic conductivity of 1.0 X 10(-5) S/cm is obtained at about 70 degrees C without any addition o f organic plasticizer. The conductivity increases apparently when prop ylene carbonate and low MW PEO are added to the polyurethane ionomer. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.