AN INVESTIGATION OF COMPOSITE ELECTROLYTES BY MIXING POLYETHYLENE OXIDE AND POLYTETRAMETHYLENE GLYCOL-BASED WATERBORNE POLYURETHANE WITH THE ADDITION OF LICLO4 PROPYLENE CARBONATE

Various composite electrolytes (CE) were prepared by mixing polytetram ethylene glycol-based waterborne polyurethane [WPU(PTMG)], polyethylen e oxide (PEO), and LiClO4/propylene carbonate (PC). The conductivity o f these CEs was investigated using ac impedance. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing microscopy (PM) were employed for ma terial characterization. The temperature dependence of the conductivit y follows the Arrhenius law for samples with a LiClO4/PC content large r than 30%, while for samples with LiClO4/PC content approximating 8%, it shows linear segments separated by a transition zone between 25 an d 65 degrees C. According to the ac and DSC results, the conductivity is increased, and the melting temperature is decreased by increasing t he LiClO4/PC content. PM results indicate that the increase in PEO rat io increases the crystallinity of the PEO WPU(PTMG) films. When LiClO4 /PC is added, the increase in PEO ratio results in an increase in cond uctivity. The CE comprising 33% PEG. 17% WPU(PTMG), and 50% LiClO4/PC exhibits conductivities as high as ca. similar to 10(-2) S cm(-1) at 8 5 degrees C and 5 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 15 degrees C.