Inorganic-Organic Polymer Electrolytes Based on PEG400 and Al[OCH(CH[sub 3])[sub 2]][sub 3]

Abstract

Eleven new aluminum-based organically modified ceramics as polymer electrolytes were prepared and characterized. The hybrid inorganic-organic networks with the general formula { Al [ O ( CH 2 CH 2 O ) 8.7 ] ρ / ( LiClO 4 ) z } n , where 1.85 ⩽ ρ ⩽ 2.24 and 0 ⩽ z ⩽ 1.06 , were prepared by a polycondensation reaction starting from aluminum isopropoxide and poly(ethylene glycol) ( PEG 400 ) / ( LiClO 4 ) y liquid polymer electrolytes with 0 ⩽ y ⩽ 0.49 . Detailed compositional data, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and FT-Raman investigations allowed us to propose a structural hypothesis for this class of materials and to characterize the interactions between ions and binding sites in the host networks. These materials present a glassy rubbery consistency and consist of Al atoms bonded together by PEG400 bridges. Medium FTIR and FT-Raman studies of the polymers showed that the polyether moieties exhibit a TGT (T trans, G gauche) conformation with helical geometry and detected the presence of Li + ⋯ ClO 4 − ⋯ Al [ O ( CH 2 CH 2 O ) 8.7 ] 3 neutral species at c Li 1 / 2 ⩾ 0.4 (mol kg−1)1/2. We verified that in bulk { Al [ O ( CH 2 CH 2 O ) 8.7 ] ρ / ( LiClO 4 ) z } n complexes the acid aluminum cross-linking sites exhibit the anion trapping phenomenon toward perchlorate anions. © 2004 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.