Diblock Copolymer Electrolytes
Abstract
The fact that salts such as lithium per chlorate can dissolve in a matrix of polyethyleneoxide has been known for some time. We are studying the effect of these salts on the state of thin films of polyisoprene-b-polyethyleneoxide (PI-PEO) copolymers. The thin films are created by conventional spin casting of a mixture of our diblock copolymer and lithium per chlorate salt dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) on cleaned silicon wafers and the morphology is studied by atomic force microscopy. Our study focuses on block copolymers which microphase separate to give cylinders of PEO in a PI matrix. We are studying the effect of salt concentration on the alignment of the cylinders relative to the substrate and the state of the PEO chains (crystalline versus amorphous). Our ultimate aim is to obtain thin films with high electrical conductivity for possible applications as polymeric electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries.
- Publication:
-
APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..MARP30002B