New concepts in polymer electrolyte design

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are ionically conducting materials comprised of a macromolecular system and a salt. SPE materials frequently also contain organic solvent plasticizers which may be the major component of the SPE. The macromolecular component of the SPE may be either a linear or crosslinked polymer, a copolymer, or interpenetrating polymer network. Desirable characteristics for an SPE macromolecule are good electrochemical stability in reduction and oxidation, an ability to coordinate and enable the transport of ionic species, a T_g well below the projected use temperature of the electrolyte, and chemical stability in contact with active electrode materials. The author discusses the ionic conductivity in SPEs, SPE materials including gel SPEs, thermoset gel SPEs, polymer alloys/composites, single ion polymer conductors and systems without alkyl oxides, and laminate structures