Studies of Ionic Interactions in Poly(propylene glycol)4000 Complexed with Triflate Salts

Plasticized and salt-doped single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries

Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes created by plasticizing LiPSTFSI with PPO and LiTFSI are shown to both improve the ionic conductivity and alter the ion conduction mechanism. This correlates with both local and macroscopic properties, opening for rational design of solid-state, but yet pliable electrolytes.

Semi-solid solvent-free electrolytes are created from a single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte, a classic polymer and a plasticizing Li-salt.

FT-IR spectroscopic investigation of ionic interactions in PPG 4000: AgCF3SO3 polymer electrolyte

The effect of salt concentration on the ubiquitous ionic interactions observed in the case of the silver ion conducting polymer electrolyte system poly(propylene glycol) (PPG)-silver triflate has been investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a probe for the characterization of the local environment of the triflate ion in PPG-based polymer electrolytes. The maximum free anion concentrations of symmetric and asymmetric SO(3) stretching modes in the case of poly(propylene glycol) complexed with silver triflate (AgCF(3)SO(3)) corresponding to the ether oxygen metal cation ratios from 2:1 to 6:1 have been investigated in detail. The present Fourier transform infrared spectral studies of the C-O-C stretching mode have shown reduction in the intensity, due to the decrease of salt concentration. The splitting of vibrational modes has been analyzed in terms of free ions, ion pairs and aggregates. The bands of SO(3) symmetric stretching mode appearing at 1032 and 1038 cm(-1) in the chosen polymer electrolyte material have been assigned to free ions and ion pairs respectively.

Eu3+ Coordination in an Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Matrix with Methyl End-Capped Short Polyether Chains

Fourier Transform mid-infrared (FT-IR), Fourier Transform Raman (FT-Raman) and photoluminescence spectroscopies and Two-Dimensional (2D) Correlation Spectroscopic Analysis were employed to examine the anionic and cationic local environments in mono-urethanesils doped with europium triflate (Eu(CF(3)SO(3))(3)). The hybrid host framework of these materials is composed of a siliceous backbone bonded through urethane linkages to CH(3)-terminated polymer chains containing about 7 OCH(2)CH(2) units. Samples with infinity >/= n (composition) >/=5 (where n = OCH(2)CH(2)/Eu(3+)) were studied. In terms of ionic association, the level of complexity of these xerogels is very high. In all the compounds the triflate ions exist "free", weakly coordinated and forming cross-link separated ion pairs. At 20 >/= n >/= 5, in addition to all these species contact ion pairs occur. In agreement with these conclusions, photoluminescence establishes the presence of three distinct cation local sites (Eu(3+)/O=C(urethane cross-links), Eu(3+)/O-C-C(polyether chains) and weakly coordinated Eu(3+)/CF(3)SO(3)(-) ionic pairs).

Multiple charging of poly(propylene glycol) by binary mixtures of cations in electrospray

Single, double and triple charging of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) (Mn = 1900 g/mol) in the presence of binary mixtures of cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, and NH4+) under electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions were investigated. For these studies, sodium ion was selected as the reference cation, and the resulting ion-intensities were evaluated as a function of the [Na+]/[C+] ratio (where C+ is the other cation, i.e., Li+, K+, Cs+ and NH4+). A linear relationship was found between INa+/IC+)and [Na+]/[C+] (INa+ and IC+ stand for the intensity of the singly charged PPG molecules cationized with Na+ and C+ ions, respectively). The slope of the INa+/IC+--[Na+]/[C+] plot (alpha) indicates the binding selectivity of Na+ ions to PPG chains with respect to cation C+. In the case of the doubly charged PPG chains, the INaNa2+/INaC2+ and INaC2+/ICC2+ versus [Na+]/[C+] ratio also yield straight lines with slopes of approximately alpha/2 and 2alpha, respectively (INaNa2+, INaC2+ and ICC2+ are the intensity of the doubly charged PPG chains cationized with two Na+ ions, Na+ and C+ ions, and two C+ ions, respectively). Similarly, linear dependences with the [Na+]/[C+] ratio for the corresponding intensity ratios of the triply charged PPG were found. Based on the value of alpha, the selectivity of the cations was found to increase in the order of Li+ < Cs+ approximately Na+ < K+ approximately NH4+. The observed relative ion intensities are interpreted on the basis of the solution state equilibrium between PPG and the cations. In addition, the investigations showed that the abundances of the doubly and triply charged PPG-containing mixed cations can be optimized in a simple way using the value of alpha.

Ionically conducting polyether composites

Ionic conductivity in polymer–salt electrolytes occurs in the amorphous regions of the complex. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is the best polyether for complexing salts. Unfortunately, it is partially crystalline at ambient temperatures. With inorganic (i.e., alumina) or organic (i.e., poly(acrylamide) (PAAM)) fillers the crystallization of PEO is inhibited and the room temperature conductivity is enhanced in these mixed phase systems by over two orders of magnitude (to ~ 10−4 S/cm) above the base PEO–salt system (<10− S/cm). Even adding PAAM to an initially amorphous system (oxymethylene-linked PEO–LiClO4) increases the room temperature conductivity by 2 to 3 times. Various alkali metal salts (Li, Na) and NH4SCN are used with α-Al2O3, θ-Al2O3, PAAM′ and poly(N,N′-dimethyl acrylamide) as fillers. The aluminas stiffen the complex and increase Tg. The addition of the organic fillers lowers Tg, as is to be preferred. It is suggested that changes in the conductivity with changes in salt and filler concentration are due to changes in the ultrastructure and morphology and are the result of an equilibrium between various Lewis acid – Lewis base reactions. Qualified success has been achieved in modelling ionic conductivity in these composite electrolyte systems using an effective medium approach. In this approach it has been assumed that the main conductivity enhancement takes place in thin amorphous layers of the polyether that coat the dispersed polyacrylamide particles separated in a microphase. In the best complexes this layer is identified by a second Tg. Key words: polyethers, composites, ionic conductivity, phase structure, Lewis acids and bases.