Polymer electrolytes polyethyleneoxide

The same electron transfer was investigated in a polyethyleneoxide film known to be a polymer electrolyte capable of transporting ions. The electron transfer mechanism was analyzed to take place by both static and dynamic mechanisms,33) the electron transfer distance was estimated to be 1.7 nm, and the dynamic rate constant was 4.6 x 106 M 1s 1, which is two orders of magnitude lower than that in an aqueous solution. 

Not long ago,this group first described microelectrochemical devices, which are based on microfabricated arrays of electrodes, connected by electroactive materials. Because the active components of these devices are chemical in nature, many of these devices are chemically sensitive,and comprise a potentially useful class of chemical sensors. Devices showing sensitivity to pH, 02r 2 f and Na" have been demonstrated. These devices are, typically, operated in fluid solution electrolytes. If this class of devices is to be useful as gas sensors, systems which are not dependent on liquid electrolytes need to be developed. We have recently reported solid state microelectrochemical transistors, which replace conventional liquid electrolytes with polymer electrolytes based on polyethyleneoxide (PEG) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA). In this report, we discuss additional progress toward solid-state devices by employing a new polymer ion conductor based on the polyphosphazene comb-polymer, MEEP (shown below). By taking advantage of polymer ion conductors we have developed microelectrochemical devices, where all of the components of the device are confined to a chip. 

Recently, dry-type polymer electrolyte having high ionic conductivity has been obtained by introducing branched short-chain polyethyleneoxide. In this system the branched chain acts as an internal plasticizer. Such a polymer shows high ionic conductivity of 10 S/cm at ca. 30°C. ... 

Chemical compositions of superabsorbent polymers strongly influence the aforementioned processes (i), (ii), and (iii). For example, there is a close correlation between the polymer structure, type and concentration of ionic groups, and salt concentration with the absorbency. Polyethyleneoxide (PEO)-type superabsorbent polymers compare favorably with poly(acrylic acid)-type polymers in the absorbency of electrolytes. However, because of the slow absorption rate, the application range would be limited. 

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