Metal-containing polymers thin film structures

This review focuses on the most interesting reversible coordination polymers and their application in various hierarchical self-assembled structures, including thin films, microcapsules, micelles, microemulsions, and nanoribbons. These structures have in common that they are hierarchical assemblies containing metal-mediated reversible coordination polymers as a main component. The charges carried by the coordination polymers are utilized to interact with oppositely charged components, including nanoparticles, polyelectrolytes, block copolymers, and surfactants. Specific features of these objects, introduced by the coordination polymers, as well as the influence of additional salt are discussed. 

At the time of writing, the solid-state alkali metal battery is by far the most important projected application of a polymer electrolyte. This is based on a thin film laminated structure containing a lithium-metal negative electrode, a polymer film electrolyte, and a positive electrode made of an oxidizing agent capable of inserting alkali ions into its structure (Figure 7). 

We have found quite a novel technique to make ultrafine metai particles-polymer composites The new technique consists of three steps. The first step is the preparation of the matrix polymer with a thermodynamicatly ntetastable structure.The second is the vacuum vapor deposition of the metal onto the matrix polymer. The last step is the heat-treatment of the polymer laminated with the thin rrtetal film. The metal disposes into the matrix polymer in the form of ultrafine particles through a series of treatments mentioned above. This dispersion process, named RAD Reiaxstive Auto-Oispersion), contains an intersting phenomenon of the solid phase dispersion. However, rto complete explanation has been offered about the actual dispersion mechanism yet. 

The rate of this process in aprotic electrolytes is rather high the exchange current density is fractions to several mA/cm. As pointed out already, the first contact of metallic lithium with electrolyte results in practically the instantaneous formation of a passive film on its surface conventionally denoted as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The SEI concept was formulated yet in 1979 and this film still forms the subject of intensive research. The SEI composition and structure depend on the composition of electrolyte, prehistory of the lithium electrode (presence of a passive film formed on it even before contact with electrode), time of contact between lithium and electrolyte. On the whole, SEI consists of the products of reduction of the components of electrolyte. In lithium thionyl chloride cells, the major part of SEI consists of lithium chloride. In cells with organic electrolyte, SEI represents a heterogeneous (mosaic) composition of polymer and salt components lithium carbonates and alkyl carbonates. It is essential that SEI features conductivity by lithium ions, that is, it is solid electrolyte. The SEI thickness is several to tens of nanometers and its composition is often nonuniform a relatively thin compact primary film consisting of mineral material is directly adjacent to the lithium surface and a thicker loose secondary film containing organic components is turned to electrolyte. It is the ohmic resistance of SEI that often determines polarization of the lithium electrode. 

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