Ceramic-polymer interface in composite electrolytes of lithium aluminium titanium phosphate and polyetherurethane polymer electrolyte

Composite electrolytes of the lithium-ion-conducting ceramic Li1.3Al0.3Ti1. 7(PO4)(3) and polyethemrethane/lithium triflate polymer electrolyte have be en prepared. Microscopy has shown that adhesion between the ceramic and pol ymer phases is poor, with gaps up to 1 mu m at the interface. When dry, the composites are no more conductive than the pure polymer electrolyte. Expos ing the samples to the vapour of solvents such as DMF, acetonitrile or wate r produces a significant increase in conductivity, over and beyond simple p lasticization of the polymer. Pretreating the ceramic with a compatibilizin g agent improves adhesion at the interface with the polymer, but decreases overall conductivity in the case investigated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.