Ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolytes based on modified alternating maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains

Abstract

Comb-like polymers (CP) based on modified alternating methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with oligo-oxyethylene side chains of the type -Q(CH2CH2O)nCH3 have been synthesized and characterized, and complexed with lithium salts to form amorphous polymer electrolytes. CP/salt complexes showed conductivity up to 10-5 Scm-1 at room temperature. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity suggests that the ion transport is controlled by segmental motion of the polymer, shown by linear curves obtained in Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher plots. The ionic conductivity maximum moves to a higher salt concentration as the temperature increases. IR results indicate that the ester in CP might decompose at 140°C and reproduce the maleic anhydride ring.