Electrical and Structural Properties of New Li+ Ion Conducting Sol-Gel Derived Ormolytes:. (SiO2-PEG)-LiCF3SO3

A new fast Li⁺ ion conducting ORMOLYTE system: (SiO₂-10wt% PEG)-[Li/O] LiCF₃SO₃ with [Li/O] = 0 to 0.1 mole, was synthesized via traditional and sono-catalysis routes of sol-gel method, and bulk samples have been referred to as classic and sono ormolytes, respectively. The highest electrical conductivity (σ_25°C ~ 10^-4 Scm^-1) at [Li/O] = 0.04 and 0.05 mole was achieved for classic and sono ormolytes, respectively, with enhancement of 10³ times from the host matrix: SiO₂-PEG xerogels. The ionic transport parameters of the sono ormolytes were found slightly superior to the classic ormolytes. The results have been explained on the basis of scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy studies and found supportive to the theoretical models especially the morphological model proposed for two-phase composite electrolyte systems.