ION CONDUCTION IN MACROPOROUS POLYETHYLENE FILM DOPED WITH ELECTROLYTES

Macroporous, low density polyethylene films have been used as support systems for polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene carbonate (PC)-lit hium triflate mixtures. It has been shown that the optimum loading of (electrolyte + salt)/PE of 5.75/1 (w/w) gave conductivities in the ran ge 3 x 10(-4) to 3 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) between 20 degrees C and 80 degre es C and that these values are better than comparable solvent free pol ymer electrolytes at ambient temperatures. Plots of log conductivity a gainst reciprocal temperature for various [Li+]/[O] ratios obeyed the Arrhenius equation and the temperature dependence of conductivity was lower in the PC system when compared with the PEG-containing films. Th e systems are simple to prepare, are versatile and strong, and are lea k-free at ambient temperatures. These features make them possible comp etitors for solvent-free polymer electrolytes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.