INFLUENCE OF WATER-ABSORPTION ON POLYETHYLENE OXIDE-BASED POLYMER ELECTROLYTES COMPLEXED WITH AMMONIUM, SODIUM AND MAGNESIUM PERCHLORATES

The influence of water absorption on polyethylene oxide and its comple xes with NH4ClO4, NaClO4 and Mg(ClO4)(2) (for O/M = 10 and 3) has been studied. A quantitative estimation of water absorption kinetics has b een carried out. The changes in microstructure and thermal behaviour d ue to water absorption have been studied using X-ray diffraction and t hermogravimetric/differential thermal analyses. The electrical conduct ivity of different films has been measured as a function of relative h umidity and explained in terms of the generation of free mobile ions d ue to water absorption. (C) 1998 Chapman & Hall.