Ionic conduction in polymers

Miyamoto, T. and Shibayama, W. D. Free volume model for ionic conductivity in polymers. J. Appl. Phys. 44 5372, 1973. 

A third type of ionic conduction occurs in polymer electrolytes, such as polyethylene oxide. The mechanism of ionic conduction in polymer electrolytes is not entirely understood. However, it is believed to involve rapid polymer segmental motion which creates regions of an elastomeric nature. These elastomeric regions have relaxation times similar to liquids, and, thus, allow a higher ionic mobility than would be concluded from the polymer s macroscopic properties [2]. 

KinseUa, EM, Mayne, JEO. 1969. Ionic Conduction in Polymer Films. I. Influence of Electrolyte on Resistance. Br. Polym. J., 1, 173. 

Ionic conductivity in polymer-based, water-containing, solid systems has been with us for a long time. A review of that history, which is intimately associated with the history of analytical electrochemistry and the physical chemistry of electrolyte solutions, will help to put the present work into perspective. 

The first measurements of ionic conductivity in polymer-salt complexes were carried out by Wright [14, 15]. The initial realization that these materials could be used as polymer electrolytes in battery applications, however, was by Armand [16, 17] and his seminal work has spawned a vigorous, expanding, world-wide research effort. In the remainder of this chapter, the terms polymer electrolyte and ion conducting polymer will be used interchangeably. 

Hayamizu K, AUiara Y, Price W (2000) Correlating the NMR self-diffusion and relaxatirai measurements with ionic conductivity in polymer electrolytes composed of cross-linked poly (ethylene oxide-propylene oxide) doped with LiN(S02CF3)(2). J Chem Phys 113(11) 4785 793... 

The ionic conductivity in polymer electrolytes is related to the segmental motion of the polymeric chains thus the low degree of crystallinity for polymer electrolyte may be propitious for high ionic conductivity. The conductive mechanism can be stated as follows lithium ions first bond with the... 

Studies of polymer electrolytes began with the pioneering works of Wright et al. and Armand et al. [4,5]. Since then, several studies [6] have been devoted to the fundamental understanding of ionic conduction in polymer electrolytes and to further their application as solid electrolytes in solid electrochemical devices, especially in rechargeable lithium solid-state batteries. In this chapter, we summarize the correlation between the characteristics of polymer electrolytes and their ionic conductivity in terms of carrier transport and generation processes. Our recent studies on the use of polymer electrolytes as media for electrochemical reactions are also presented. 

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