Transport and interfacial properties of composite polymer electrolytes

Lithium polymer electrolytes formed by dissolving a lithium salt LiX in pol y(ethylene oxide) PEG, may find useful application as separators in lithium rechargeable polymer batteries. The main problems, which are still to be s olved for a complete successful operation of these materials, are the react ivity of their interface with the lithium metal electrode and the decay of their conductivity at temperatures below 70 degrees C. In this paper we dem onstrate that a successful approach for overcoming these problems, is the d ispersion of selected ceramic powders in the polymer mass, with the aim of developing new types of composite PEO-LiX polymer electrolytes characterize d by enhanced interfacial stability, as well as by improved ambient tempera ture transport properties. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.