Ionic conductance of polymeric electrolytes containing lithium salts mixedwith rare earth salts

Polymeric ion conductors consisting of poly(ethylene oxide)-grafted poly(me thylmethacrylate) (PEO-PMMA) matrices that dissolve lithium salts and rare earth salts have been prepared by photo-induced radical polymerization of m ethacrylate monomers with a linear polyether (PEGDE). The ionic structure a nd conductance behaviour of the resulting electrolyte systems were investig ated as a function of the electrolyte composition. Polymeric electrolytes c ontaining lithium salts with rare earth cations showed higher ionic conduct ivity than that containing lithium salts only. The conductance behaviour of the mixed salt system is discussed from the experimental results of therma l analysis, Raman spectroscopy, transport number measurements and Li-7 NMR. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.