Polymer-based battery, typical

The HRP-catalyzed polymerization of phenols was found to be a convenient way to produce redox polymers and conducting (electronically conducting and ionically conducting) polymers. Besides the interest in electronic conductive polyanilines [121], many efforts have been made to produce ionically conductive phenol polymers for battery applications. A classic effort is the synthesis of poly(hydroquinone) for use as a redox polymer. Typically, poly(quinone)s are prepared via chemical or electrochemical methodologies [122,123]. Both processes produce a large amount of by-products and lead to complex polymer structiues. The first alternative pathway to produce poly(hydroquinone) by peroxidase catalysis was based on a multienzymic... 

The preparation and properties of a novel, commercially viable Li-ion battery based on a gel electrolyte has recently been disclosed by Bellcore (USA) [124]. The technology has, to date, been licensed to six companies and full commercial production is imminent. The polymer membrane is a copolymer based on PVdF copolymerized with hexafluoropropylene (HFP). HFP helps to decrease the crystallinity of the PVdF component, enhancing its ability to absorb liquid. Optimizing the liquid absorption ability, mechanical strength, and processability requires optimized amorphous/crystalline-phase distribution. The PVdF-HFP membrane can absorb plasticizer up to 200 percent of its original volume, especially when a pore former (fumed silica) is added. The liquid electrolyte is typically a solution of LiPF6 in 2 1 ethylene carbonate dimethyl car-... 

Gozdz et al. (of Bellcore) [25] recognized that poly (vinylidene difluoride) hexafluoropropylene (PVDF HFP) copolymers could form gels with organic solvents and developed an entire battery based on this concept. Typically, the gel separator is 50 pm thick and comprises 60wt. % polymer. In the Bellcore process the separator is laminated to the electrodes under pressure at elevated temperature. The use of the PVDF HFP gelling agent increases the resistivity of the electrolyte by about five times which limits the rate capability of such batteries. 

Whittingham in the seventies developed a battery that operated at room temperature based on the intercalation of Li in TiS2. In the lithium/titanium disulfide battery, one electrode is lithium metal and the other is titanium disulfide bonded to a polymer such as teflon. The electrolyte is a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent. Typically, the... 

Despite the improvements, a more durable elastomer was clearly needed. A battery of polyurethane elastomers including Pellethane were prepared and implanted subcutaneously in rats. Before implantation, the polymers were extruded into tubes and elongated over mandrels to 400%. The implants were left in place for 6 months and examined under a scanning electron microscope. One of the better performing polyurethanes was based on poly(l,6-hexyl 1,2-ethyl carbonate) diol. Polyesters typically are considered less durable due to the presence of esterase enzymes in vivo. From the data recovered during the implant period, it was determined... 

A typical rechargeable battery based on this idea has been constructed. It uses the [Ni(TTL)]a, polymer as the anode, poly-2-vinyl-pyridine-iodine (P2VP (x/2)l2) (68) complex as the cathode, and aqueous KI solution as the electrolyte solution (Equation 13). In the discharging process, electrons flow from the anode [Ni(TTL)]a to the cathode P2VP (x/2)l2 through the load circuit the iodide (or polyiodide) ions formed at the cathode then enter the electrolyte while an equivalent amount of iodide ions from the electrolyte solution intercalate into the oxidized metal tetrathiolene polymer (anode). The electrolyte concentration is therefore conserved. Upon recharging with an opposite... 

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